Conquer the Skies with DIY Parachute Guy!
I still have my original 1977 Daredevil Skydiver, but these days he’s looking a little weary. When I went looking for a modern version for my boys, I was disappointed by the cheap plastic ones that tangle before they even hit the air.
That’s why we went back to basics. Using just a coffee filter and a couple of fuzzy sticks (pipe cleaners), you can make a parachute guy that actually works. Whether you’re teaching a STEM lesson on air resistance or just need a rainy-day activity, this DIY version is a classic.
I’ve got the answer for you: make your OWN parachute toy! They’re really simple to make and a joy to watch as they glide to Earth.
Not to mention, but parachute toys are a fun way to learn some basic STEM skills as your kid learns about gravity — and how to defy it!
My First Parachute Toy: Daredevil Skydiver, 1977
When I was a kid, I had the best parachute man ever: a Fisher-Price Adventure People “Daredevil Skydiver” parachute man, circa 1977.
He was a full sized action figure with a nylon chute, plastic harness and Evel Knievel inspired jumpsuit with star spangled bell bottom pants. You needed a freakin’ slingshot to get him up high enough…but his red, white and blue chute ALWAYS opened.
Naturally, I was disappointed when I tried to find modern parachute dudes for my boys. I still have my Daredevil Skydiver, but he’s getting kinda old and his head always tips down like he’s staring at his toes.
All we could find at the store are cheap hunks of flimsy plastic, with tissue thin chutes your have to string up yourself. Good luck with that! You might get one decent throw before these cheapo toys turn into tangled junk.
How to make a Kid’s Parachute Toy!
Our do-it-yourself version is made from items you probably already have in your kitchen or craft stash.
Because we’re using a coffee filter, we’re going to make a very light weight “action figure” from fuzzy sticks. Daredevil needed a 27-inch wide chute to support his “massive” action figure weight.
He (or she) is made from two pipe cleaners (aka fuzzy sticks or chenille sticks) and a coffee filter. Boom.
Click over to Youtube to watch me build a parachute guy in regular speed.
DIY Coffee Filter Parachute Toy
Make an easy STEM worthy parachute toy with your kids.
Materials
- Coffee Filter
- Fuzzy Sticks
- Markers (optional)
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- First, you'll make a stick person from ONE fuzzy stick. 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.
- 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.
- If you want to get fancy, you could decorate the filter with markers, but plain white works well too.
Notes
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.
Click over to Youtube to watch me build a parachute guy in regular speed.
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Ta da! A coffee filter parachute guy! If you want to get fancy, you could decorate the filter with markers, but plain white works well too. Take the parachute guy someplace high, like a playhouse, second floor deck, balcony or to your local park jungle gym.
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.
We tried out our parachute guy in the backyard and he floated gently to the ground–every time!
FAQ
Why is my parachute falling too fast?
Answer: Check the weight of your “guy.” If the pipe cleaners are too thick or you added too much tape, gravity will win too quickly. Also, make sure the coffee filter is fully opened and not crumpled.
Can I use a cupcake liner instead?
Answer: You can try, but cupcake liners are usually too small to create enough drag for a standard pipe cleaner man. They work better for “micro” parachute guys made from a single twist-tie!
How do I stop the strings from tangling?
That’s the beauty of this design! By using a single pipe cleaner as the “shroud lines,” there are no strings to tangle. It’s the most “kid-proof” version we’ve tested.
Whew! That was fun! Ready to make a catapult now? We’ve got just the thing…