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.
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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.
What Are Galileo Camps?
Galileo Camps are known in the Bay Area where we live as some of the best educational summer camps for kids from Pre-K through 8th Grade. Galileo Camps encourage kids to brainstorm and think like innovators through a variety of hands-on projects and activities.
My 4th grader is going to camp this summer. Several of our friends go every year, and highly recommend the experience.
Camp Galileo Discount Code 2023
Use code 23SMILES15 to get 15% off of your entire camp in 2023! Yes, this includes multiple weeks and multiple children! Click here to register for camp.
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? Have your kids gone to any Galileo Camps?
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MaryAnne lives 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 :)