Paper helicopter — Science experiments for kids

What you do

Air pushes back — “air resistance on the blades slows the fall and spins it”

1. 1. Draw a T shape on a paper strip and cut it out with safety scissors (an adult helps).
2. 2. Cut the top down the middle and fold the two blades opposite ways.
3. 3. Fold up the bottom and clip a paper clip on it.
4. 4. Drop it from your raised hand and time how long it takes to land.

Use it for: Science lessons on gravity and air resistance; a quick STEM project for kids with paper.

Worked example: 🚁 Why does the paper helicopter fall slowly? → air pushes on its blades

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Lesson 8 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🚁 Spinning Flyer badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 10 lessons of Part 1 · Water and air. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Paper Helicopter STEM Worksheet

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)