Things that move
Motorboat
Motorboats are fun to play with in a pool or tub. Close and glue the
spout on a half-gallon milk carton. Cut out the spout side of the carton
for the top of the boat. Poke a hole in the bottom of the boat, near the
back. Put a balloon in the boat and push the balloon’s neck through the
hole. Blow up the balloon. Hold the neck closed with your fingers. Put
the boat in the water and let go. Watch the boat putt, putt, putt away.
Oriental Paper-Bag Kite
An Oriental paper-bag kite will fly tied to a tree or will follow you as
you run along. Cut out a circle from stiff cardboard. Cut out the center
of the circle to make a ring. Tape the cut in the ring. Tie three short
pieces of string to the ring. Then tie the strings together. Trace the
inside of the ring on the bottom of a paper bag. Cut out the hole. Glue
the ring inside the bag, with the strings coming out of the hole.
Decorate the bag and attach a long kite string.
Pinwheel
Start with a square piece of construction paper. Draw an X, from corner
to corner. Cut from each corner halfway to the center. Fold over every
other point and tape or staple these points at the center. Push a
thumbtack through the center and into the eraser on a pencil. Blow on
the pinwheel or run with it and watch it spin.
Drinking-Straw Kite
Here’s a high-flying kite you can play with in the city or the country.
String six straws together to make a foursided shape called a
tetrahedron. It’s easiest if you suck the string through the straws.
Cover two sides with one piece of tissue paper. Use the tetrahedron to
measure the paper. Cut the paper about 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger than the
sides. Glue the paper around the straws.
Attach the two bridle strings exactly as shown. About one-third of the
way from the top front edge of the kite, poke small holes in the paper.
Then thread a string through the holes and around the straw. Tie the
string to the straw. Then attach a slightly longer string near the
bottom front edge. Tie the two bridle strings together. Then tie light
kite string to the bridle strings
To make a tail, cut several strips of tissue paper about 2 inches (5 cm)
wide and 3 feet (1 m) long. Tie the tail to the bottom front edge of the
kite. Then run and watch your kite follow you as it goes up, up, and
away. If your kite doesn’t fly well, adjust the bridle strings.
