Fly Away: Airplane Crafts for All

My son loves airplanes. And the first time his grandfather made him a paper airplane, he gleefully flew it over and over again.  If your preschooler is just as fascinated by these incredible flying machines, then here are a couple of craft ideas sure to take-off in your house.

Styrofoam Gliders

Materials:

• Styrofoam meat trays
• Scissors or utility knife
• Paint or markers

Each plane requires two Styrofoam meat trays, which you can get from most butcher or grocery stores. From one tray, outline and cut the shape of the plane's body. On the other, outline and cut a long rectangle, with rounded corners. This will be the plane's wing. Have your child decorate the plane. Then, cut a slit towards the front of the plane's body. Make it as long as the width of the wing. Slide the wing into the body. It should fit snuggly, but you can secure it with glue.

Paper Planes

Of course, with paper, a little tape, some creative folding and a paper clip or two, you can always make paper airplanes. 

For more information on making airplanes, check out Paper Planes and Other Super Flyers by Neil Francis, published by Kids Can Press or visit http://bestpaperairplanes.com/'

By Rochelle Strauss