How to make a parachute for your toys

Leonardo DaVinci first imagined a parachute in his early writings, which he described as a tent from which a human would 'be able to throw himself down from any great height without suffering any injury.' In 1783, inventor Louis-Sebastian Lourmand used a parachute to jump 14 feet out of a tree.

In 1797, French daredevil Andre-Jacques Garnerin jumped from a hot-air balloon with a parachute. It was a wild 3,200 foot fall, but he made it. Since then, parachutes have been used by militaries and adventure-seekers alike.

How to make a toy parachute

You can make your own parachute for a small plastic toy using yarn and a paper napkin or some cloth. It's easy to find these elements around your house. If you need supplies, you can pick some up for free from the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Just call 319-261-READ.

1.

Lay your napkin flat. Tie one piece of yarn to each corner hole. 

2.

Tie two strands on each side together 

3.

Make two more knots close together for arm holes. You may need to adjust arm holes to fit your particular dinosaur. 

4.

Fit the arm holes onto your dinosaur! Now he's ready for takeoff!