Are you a creative adult with a passion for inspiring kids? Become an Activity Author and reach a wider audience with GlueStick. Learn more.

Pipe Cleaner Parachute People - DIY Physics Experiment for Kids

Parachute toys are a fun way to learn about gravity while using up some spare supplies around the house! Create your own pipe cleaner people with coffee filter parachutes that float gently through the air. You can color your parachute if you'd like (markers work best), or leave it white for a classic look. This engaging project combines physics learning with creative play as kids watch their parachute people drift down from high places!

5-10 minutes Ages 5-10

About This Project

A 5–10 minutes craft for ages 5–10, using supplies you likely already have — Scissors, Coffee Filters, and Pipe Cleaners.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:

Physics Experiments
Gravity Learning Activities
STEM Projects
Pipe Cleaner Crafts
Science Play Activities

Project Tags

parachute stem airport flying super hero action figure science experiment science lab solo project gravity budget friendly physics indoor outdoor

1
Find Supplies

Do you have everything you need?

Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.

00:00

Scissors
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Coffee Filters
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Pipe Cleaners
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
2
Make Pipe Cleaner Parachute People

Messy Mode

Make a pipe cleaner person

First, you'll make a stick person from ONE fuzzy pipe cleaner. Twist a loop in the middle for his head, bend back both ends for the arms, twist those ends together for the torso, then what's left is legs. Feel free to bend up the very end for feet.

(Optional) Color your parachute

Use markers to add designs to your coffee filter parachute. Protect your work surface by putting a piece of paper or an old paper bag underneath your work.

Attach parachute

Take a second pipe cleaner and poke one end through the edge of a coffee filter. Fold over once to secure. Take the free end and run through the "hands" of the stick figure (his arms are loops). Connect the free end to the coffee filter and bend up.

Watch it fly!

Take the parachute guy someplace high, like a playhouse, second floor deck, balcony or to your local park jungle gym. Gently release the toy and let it float to the ground. You just have to release him and he’ll float down to the ground gently! Remember to leave the parachute open–unlike fabric or plastic chutes, you don’t want to ball this guy up and toss into the air.

Your creative buddy says:

"Are you as excited to make this as I am?"

Step 1: Make a pipe cleaner person

First, you'll make a stick person from ONE fuzzy pipe cleaner. Twist a loop in the middle for his head, bend back both ends for the arms, twist those ends together for the torso, then what's left is legs. Feel free to bend up the very end for feet.

Step 2: (Optional) Color your parachute

Use markers to add designs to your coffee filter parachute. Protect your work surface by putting a piece of paper or an old paper bag underneath your work.

Step 3: Attach parachute

Take a second pipe cleaner and poke one end through the edge of a coffee filter. Fold over once to secure. Take the free end and run through the "hands" of the stick figure (his arms are loops). Connect the free end to the coffee filter and bend up.

Step 4: Watch it fly!

Take the parachute guy someplace high, like a playhouse, second floor deck, balcony or to your local park jungle gym. Gently release the toy and let it float to the ground. You just have to release him and he’ll float down to the ground gently! Remember to leave the parachute open–unlike fabric or plastic chutes, you don’t want to ball this guy up and toss into the air.
3
Clean up
Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.
Tidy up our space

Pick up anything that fell on the floor.

Wipe up any spills on the table.

Put your completed project somewhere safe!

Throw away all your trash and recycling.
Put away our supplies

Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

Put away coffee filters. Where they belong:

Put away pipe cleaners. Where they belong:

Put away scissors. Where they belong:
Update what we have left

Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.

Create a free account to manage your cupboard
Hooray! You've unlocked a new creative buddy

You

Buddy

Nice work putting supplies away!
This project could unlock 2 creative buddies. Sign in to unlock them.
4
Save

Your creative buddy says:

"What a fabulous project!"

Made something awesome? Keep going.

Your first project is free. Create your free GlueStick account to keep making — and discover projects you can do with the supplies you already have.

Sign in Create account

Upcycle supplies you already have in a flash

Snap a photo of your recycling bin, junk drawer, or fridge and GlueStick finds projects you can make right now with the supplies you already have — no store trip, no expensive kits, just more creative afternoons together.

+ 350 more

Supply Snap

About the Author

STL Motherhood

I’m a boy mom, crafter and former reporter who loves taking my kids to superhero movies. Join me for a mix of traditional kid crafts, STEM fun and 3D printing.

More projects by this author

Pipe Cleaner Parachute People - DIY Physics Experiment for Kids

About This Project

Project Tags

Find Supplies

Make Pipe Cleaner Parachute People

Step 1: Make a pipe cleaner person

Step 2: (Optional) Color your parachute

Step 3: Attach parachute

Step 4: Watch it fly!

Clean up

Tidy up our space

Put away our supplies

Update what we have left

Save

Made something awesome? Keep going.

Got leftover supplies? Try these ideas!

More projects that are great for National Aviation Day

Upcycle supplies you already have in a flash

About the Author

STL Motherhood