It's a seed from a sycamore tree. Throw them into the air and
watch them spin!
You can make your own spinning seed.
1. Cut out a strip of paper.
2. Fold the strip of paper in half.
3. Fold the top piece to the right. Flip the strip of paper over
and repeat on the other side.
4. Draw a picture on each side of the paper. I drew me with
wings! You could draw a bird, an insect or a seed.
5. Attach a paper clip at the bottom end of the spinning seed,
where the first fold is - this is where my legs are in the picture.
Throw it in the air! Watch what happens to the spinning seed as it
flies.
What's happening?
When the spinning seed falls, air pushes upwards against it. Air
also pushes sideways on the arms of the spinning seed. The two arms
are getting a push in opposite directions, which makes the seed
spin.
This helps sycamore seeds to fall far from the tree so they have
plenty of space to grow.
Do you want to make more outside toys? Why not make your own
kite?