Today we are making an egg carton glider craft. Kids of all ages will love this simple, but fun glider craft. It is not only a fun craft, but becomes a fun and educational activity. I love crafts that double as a STEM activity. Kids will be having so much fun with this glider craft that they won’t even realize they’re learning. You can make this glider craft at home or in the classroom.
Glider Craft For Kids
Both younger children and older children will be able to do this glider craft. It’s a fun craft that allows children to be creative, imaginative, and practice fine motor skills.
But it also doubles as a STEM activity as it explores and involves principles of technology, science, engineering, and even mathematics. Kids will be able to delve into the science behind forces of flight like drag and lift as well as allowing kids to experiment and focus on problem-solving skills.
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Related: STEM Paper Airplane Challenge – kids can test their science, technology, engineering and math through flight!
Supplies Needed To Make This Glider Craft
How To Make This Glider Craft
Step 1
Sketch your glider design onto the Styrofoam carton.
Step 2
Cut along the lines to create your glider.
Step 3
Decorate your glider using the tape.
Step 4
Put the paper clip on the front of your glider which will make it more stable.
Step 5
Throw it and watch it soar.
How To Modify This Glider Craft For Younger Children
Younger children may need some help if they’re not ready for scissors or inexperienced with fine motor skills. Instead, have an adult cut out the glider and allow the small children color the winds with markers.
How To Modify This Glider Craft For Older Children
If you want to explore more of the STEM side of this craft then you can do things like:
- Have your child design different gliders. That way they can test which design flies the best, smoothest, etc. They can explore the steps of the scientific method this way.
- You can make targets for the kids to try to reach with their gliders.
- Experiment with different balance weights. This will allow them to explore the lift and drag of each item on the glider. You can use things like: paperclips, taping coins to it, adding streamers, paper, etc.
Other Kids Want To Get Involved In This Glider Craft?
If you have a really small child that wants to be involved, I mean, who wouldn’t, then you can allow them to decorate and explore their own egg carton while the older kids build their gliders.
Have multiple kids? You can learn to take turns throwing gliders or race gliders. Whose glider can go the farthest? Will you win?
Our Experience With This Glider Craft
With the weather getting nice I wanted my kids to spend more time outside. Plus, I’m always down for crafts that are educational. So this craft time became educational and it went well. My kids were very interested.
And we had fun! A lot of fun actually. We made so many different gliders. Some were big, some were small, and some worked better than others. Plus, with the weights being added it was funny watching some gliders being balanced and going far and others immediately nose diving.
I hope your kids have as much fun with this glider craft as mine did!
Materials
- Styrofoam Egg Carton (18 count works best)
- Heavy Duty Paper Clip
- Colorful Tape
- Scissors
Instructions
- Sketch your glider design onto the Styrofoam carton.
- Cut along the lines to create your glider.
- Decorate your glider using the tape.
- Put the paper clip on the front of your glider which will make it more stable.
- Throw it and watch it soar.
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How did your glider craft turn out? How far did your gliders go?