PopThatCard Blog » Paper Toys

Design 2: Make this helicopter with ONLY PAPER – no glue or clips or anything…

ricko — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:34:55 +0000

Continuing with my posts about paper spinners, here’s another aerodynamic gem.

Who knows who first came up with the idea of a paper helicopter. There are many variations, and the person in this video shows one great design that works beautifully. (His name is Raul Ordóñez a Spanish blogger and photographer and an all-round generous guy).

Step 1: First watch the 2 minute video below
Step 2: Click here to print your own ready made cut-outs…

By the way – I will get back to writing about pop-up-cards soon. In the meantime, if you want to make other things with paper then click here for a few ideas.

Guest video – Design 2 – How to build a helicopter from just paper

The great thing about the above video is how Raul manages to find a strong updraft outside his apartment window. The helicopter soars high in the air and is soon gone. Some people have said, ‘Oh it must be faked’. But there are no tricks involved. Your paper spinner can soar too – all you need is a pretty hot day or an upward breeze, or both. Just let it go!

P.S – remember – be careful with heights.

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Paper helicopter gets a face-lift: How to make a ‘spinning ghost’ out of paper

ricko — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:47:21 +0000

The traditional ‘paper helicopter’ is an old favourite. You make it from a single sheet of paper and a few straight cuts. It’s about as simple as they get. If you’ve never made a paper helicopter then here are the step by step instructions.

The Spinning Ghost

The Spinning Ghost is a cool upgrade to the paper helicopter. It’s more fun and has a more aerodynamic design. It’s also very easy to make – just print the ‘spinning ghost’ cut-outs and follow the instructions provided. In a future post I’ll show you how to make a diving water bird out of paper…but one step at a time.

People like the Spinning Ghost because of the lofty way it twirls to the ground – a graceful and balanced paper toy. If you drop the spinning ghost near an updraft it seems to momentarily defy gravity. Even letting it go from your out-stretched hand is fun – it grabs people’s attention.

All this for the cost of a singe sheet of paper and a touch of glue. Go and make your Spinning Ghost.

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Make a Paper Helicopter

ricko — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:37:25 +0000

This is an old favourite. Maybe not as imaginative or clever as some paper tricks or pop-up-cards…but it works!

Start with a sheet of paper or click here to use a ready made cut-out.

Cut out the helicopter as shown in the picture. Fold the two rotors and add a small weight to the bottom like a paper clip.

When your paper helicopter is ready, drop it from a small height and watch it spin softly to earth. Enchanting.

In my next post I’ll show you how to make a genuine ‘spinning ghost‘ – a design I came up with last Easter when holidaying with our two young boys and their cousins.