Learn about how humans first took flight
Did you know that inventors made kites big enough to lift a person? Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci designed flying machines? Did you know that another famous inventor helped design the first plane to fly in Canada? Learn about all of these things and more in this slideshow!
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Activity: Did Icarus fly too high?
The ancient story of Icarus and Daedalus is one of the oldest stories about people flying. Watch a short video about this story, draw your interpretation of it, and then share it with someone in your home!
Fun for all ages, but best for explorers aged 7-10.
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Activity: Up and away!
Don’t have a kite in the house? No problem! Create one with these instructions and some household objects. Then take it out on a windy day and watch it fly!
Fun for all ages, but best for explorers aged 7-10.
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Activity: Create your own comic book!
Use the story of Icarus to create your own comic book! Learn from a comic book artist’s recommendations about what to show in pictures, what to show in writing, and what to show in speech. Give this ancient story a modern take! When you finish, send it to us - we’d love to read it!
Fun for all ages, but best for explorers aged 11-14.
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Activity: Fly across Canada!
In the 1940s, flying from Toronto to Vancouver took 16 hours, and the plane needed to land many times to refuel! Map out the route these planes used to take and make an airplane shooter from paper and a straw. See how far you can make it across the country with this fast and fun activity!
Fun for all ages.
Resources: Want to keep exploring?
We’ve found some great links to help you learn more about the history of flying, from a video explaining how the Wright brothers’ plane flew to an interactive page of aircraft that includes the world’s fastest jet.