Rubber band helicopters are easy and fun to make. Learn how you can make one a home, and learn tips to really make them fly! Explore more STEM themed fun for kids.
I am always looking for fun STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities for my kids. I was thrilled when Galileo Camps sent me this fun rubber band helicopter kit.
Some links on this site are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you! Learn more.
Update: This post used to include four printable activities, provided by Galileo. Sadly, Galileo has removed their printable. However, you can find simple rubber band helicopter kits on Amazon.
How to Make a Rubber Band Helicopter
I had seen videos of this type of rubber band helicopter before, but we had never made one until I was working on this post!
If you really want to make your helicopter fly, the key is to wind it up really well. Then hold it as straight as you can for lift-off!
It is pretty amazing when it works, and a particularly cool experiment for my kids since my brother is a helicopter pilot!
You can see a few of our launches in this little video! The first one was pretty typical of our results. The second is a dud launch, and the third was one of our best!
Have you ever made a rubber band helicopter? Do you have any other fun and easy engineering activities that we should try?
Click to read also: STEM Activities for Kids Using Household Items
Share comments and feedback below, on my Facebook page, or by tagging me on Instagram. Sign up for my newsletter to receive book recommendations, crafts, activities, and parenting tips in your inbox every week.
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Oh, how clever, going to give this a try.
Amalia
xo
A sweet idea!
Amalia
xo
Love seeing the helicopter in action…what a fabulous activity.
We had a great time with this activity!
Sounds like a great camp! That project looks fun!
Wow what a cool experiment! I have heard about Galileo because they’re here in LA but we’re going with the same org that handles my son’s after school care. Sounds like a fun camp though!
My son will love this!!! The rubber band helicopter is right up his alley!
It is pretty cool!
Oh my goodness, my kids will love this helicopter. The boys are going to their usual summer camp. I looked at one for Princess for that week, but the theme for that week is one she’d hate, and the activity she actually wanted to do was going to be for less than an hour a day and was an extra charge, so…….. Pass on that one.
Yeah, that’s not worth it. I do think your kids will love this helicopter!
I’m glad real helicopters launch more reliably. :) What a fun hands-on activity!
So am I – especially since my brother flies them!
My 8 year old is certainly looking forward to her Galileo Camp this summer. She will do Maker’s Week and Camp Everest. This helicopter looks fun, and Anna is so precious in the video.
Maker’s Week looked especially interesting to me. I would love to hear how your daughter likes it.
The video is precious! Amazing the excitement a few bits and bobs can bring :)