The Easiest Glider You'll Ever Make!

After reading an article in Click Magazine on flying squirrels (and how they glide rather than really fly), we made our own gliders.  It literally took me less than 5 minutes to make three of these gliders with the kids (including finding supplies)...

 

To make one of these fun gliders, tape three drinking straws together in a bundle.  Place the tape around the straws in the front and back (1-2 inches from the end).  Slide a penny in between the straws in the front.  Cut a piece of craft foam (or from a foam tray) to the correct side and slide it in between the straws as well.  A smaller piece makes the tail.  And... voila!

These little gliders were not the furthest flyers, but all three kids spent a good 30 minutes playing with them and then kept picking them up throughout the day and including the gliders in their dramatic play.  A couple days after we made these, the twins were playing together and I overheard them talking with each other about how flying squirrels glide, so the educational aspect of this activity was not lost.

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