So many things can fly — rockets, hot air balloons, gliders, helicopters, kites, and more! Oh, and airplanes, too! Learn about all the different ways we’ve made to soar across the sky, and build your own amazing flying machines.

1. Planes

Take a paper airplane to new heights with a motorized launcher!

Have you ever wondered how something as heavy as an airplane can fly? The secret is in the airplane’s engines and the special shape of its wings!

2. Helicopters

Helicopters use their spinning blades to fly — they can take off and land in one spot, hover, and even fly backward!

Learn about helicopters by making a rubber band powered flying toy!

Can’t get enough? Check out our Pull Helicopter Tinker Crate!

3. Gliders

The long, straight wings of gliders are designed to create maximum lift at low speeds.

4. Rockets

At the bottom of the rocket, the rocket engines start up and push fuel through tubes and nozzles really fast. Then, the fuel ignites at the bottom of the rocket. When it ignites, it creates an explosion. All the pressurized gas then rushes out of the bottom of the rocket. This creates a giant push called thrust that lifts the rocket up. That’s how rockets get to space!

Build your own rocket with the Bottle Rocket Tinker Crate!

5. Kites

Kites are shaped and angled so that the air moving over the top moves faster than the air moving over the bottom. Find out how to make your own stained glass paper kite here!

For more fun with flying machines, check out our Fun with Flight crate! Perfect for ages 5-8.