Flying or floating playthings move so effortlessly up and down through the air. No wonder children are fascinated by them.

Materials:

• Handkerchiefs or square pieces of cloth
• String (4" or 8" pieces for each parachute)
• Small paper cups or metal nut/washer
• Pencils

Directions:

To make a parachute, knot an 8-inch piece of string to each corner of a handkerchief or piece of cloth. Using a pencil, poke 4 holes around the rim of a paper cup and fasten the end of each string to the holes.

For a different kind of parachute, tie the ends of the strings to a metal nut or washer instead of using a cup.

Your child can put toy people or small animals inside the cups -- they'll add the necessary weight to make the parachutes float properly.

Toss the parachute up in the air, and watch it open and float down to the ground.

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