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Easy Paper Spinners

February 10, 2016 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

I was so surprised at how well these easy paper spinners ( or paper helicopters ) worked, they take less than two minutes to put together, spin amazingly well and inspire some great investigations.

Easy paper spinner

Easy Paper Spinners

What you need:      

Different types of paper

Paper clips

Scissors

Easy Paper Spinners

How to make a paper spinner ( or paper helicopter )

Watch the video for instructions of how to make the paper spinners.

Hold the top of the spinner between your fingers ( paperclip end down ) and let it fall to the ground, does it spin?

Things to think about

Consider factors that might affect how fast the spinner falls:

  • Type of paper
  • Number of paper clips
  • Size of spinner
  • Height dropped from

Paper Spinner Extension Activity

Children can then design a fair test to find out how one factor affects the time the spinner takes to fall. Think about whether to use a timer or drop two spinner at the same time. 

Paper Spinner Challenge 1

Try to make the slowest spinner? What do you need to change?

Challenge 2

Did you know astronauts aboard the ISS will return to Earth in a capsule of the Soyuz? Their descent is slowed down using a parachute, why would  a mechanism like our spinners not be a good alternative?

Challenge 3

Ask children to develop a different spinner design.

Learning points

Air resistance slows moving objects and that when an object falls, air resistance acts in the opposite direction to the weight.

Children should discover that the weight of an object makes a difference to the speed of its fall.

Children should be able to explain the forces acting on the spinner as it falls to the ground (air resistance pushes up and weight of the object pulls down).

Suitable for:

Key Stage 1 Science

Working Scientifically

    • Asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
    • Observing closely, using simple equipment
    • Performing simple tests
    • Identifying and classifying
    • Using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.

Upper Key Stage 2 – Forces

Easy paper spinners

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Filed Under: Forces and Magents, Just for Fun, Key Stage 2 Science, Science Experiments for Kids

Previous Post: « Andy’s Amazing Adventures Magazine
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becky

    February 17, 2016 at 11:31 am

    ooh these are very cool..simple too which suits me!

    Reply
  2. MerryAnn

    February 24, 2017 at 8:50 am

    I’ve done this with Year 1. Was a great way of doing a practical investigation tied into the seasonal change aspect of the year 1 science curriculum. We were looking at the seeds and leaves that we’re falling as part of our autumn work and inspired to make our own spinners and investigate how changing them affected how they fell.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 10 Family Bonding Time Ideas Beyond Game Night and Movie Night says:
    October 14, 2019 at 3:59 pm

    […] kiddos explored motion and how force works with these simple to make paper spinners, perfect for hands-on […]

    Reply

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