What do you get when you combine fun facts about the Wright Brothers for kids with easy bicycle art? A quick and easy history lesson with a fun creative twist! Also, look at my post Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly for more ideas.
The dream of human flight has captured imaginations for centuries, from Da Vinci’s sketches to the daring balloonists in the 1700s.
But it wasn’t until these two determined brothers from Dayton, Ohio—Wilbur and Orville Wright took to the skies in 1903 that powered flight became a reality.
Their groundbreaking invention changed the world forever, laying the foundation for modern aviation.
Their father brought home a toy helicopter powered by rubber bands and the curious boys were mesmerized. This simple toy ignited their early fascination with flight and paved the way for the invention of the airplane.
But long before they built airplanes, the Wright brothers were tinkering with bicycles.
So we are going to take this history lesson and turn it into a fun and beautiful art project with a bit of tweaking for younger kids and adding a bit more challenge for the older ones.
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT FLIGHT
But first, look at these books about flight.
8 Resources About Flight and Flying
Use one of these books to study about airplanes or things that fly.
As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success by working with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world’s first successful airplane. This is the fascinating story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers who never lost sight of their dream: to fly, and to soar higher!
Take to the skies with this fun, visual miscellany for younger children who love anything related to airplanes and flying!
Recipient of the Grand Prix of the Académie Française, Wind, Sand and Stars captures the grandeur, danger, and isolation of flight. Its exciting account of air adventure, combined with lyrical prose and the
spirit of a philosopher, makes it one of the most popular works ever written about flying.
The Wright brothers were the first people ever to build and fly an airplane, doing what many people at the time didn’t think was possible. Before they made history with their airplane, Wilbur and Orville were curious kids who loved learning about the world around them and how it worked. They fell in love with the idea of flying and taught themselves everything they needed to know to make their dream come true.
On a winter day in 1903, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two brothers—bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio—changed history. But it would take the world some time to believe that the age of flight had begun, with the first powered machine carrying a pilot.
From the early pioneers to the latest spaceflight technology, this groundbreaking book charts the inspirational story behind humankind's conquest of the skies. In the 100 years since the Wright brothers' first powered flight, aviation has witnessed many memorable events. From record-breaking flights and aerial warfare, to advances in aircraft design and the race for space, Flight covers the most memorable moments in the history of aviation
In the sky themed figurines by Safari Ltd. Airplanes, blimp, helicopter, hot air balloon, space shuttle and more replicas have been handpainted and researched for accuracy. Pieces come in a clear toob with a globe top and facts on the inside. These figures are perfect for displays, playing pretend, and more! 12 pieces per package.
Young Orville and Wilbur Wright loved building things. From the fastest sled in town to the highest-flying kite, the Wright brothers’ creations were always a step ahead of everyone else’s. They grew up learning all about mechanics from fixing bicycles and studied math and physics. On December 17, 1903, Orville took off in the world’s first flying machine! The Wright airplane is one of the most amazing–and life-changing–
Next, look at these facts about the Wright brothers.
9 FUN FACTS ABOUT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS FOR KIDS
- Birthplace-Millville, Indiana (Wilbur); Dayton, Ohio (Orville).
- Their first successful flight was on December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
- Duration of first flight-12 seconds.
- Distance of first flight- 120 feet.
- Self-taught engineers and inventors.
- Owned and operated the Wright Cycle Company.
- Invented a three-axis control system for flight (pitch, roll, yaw).
- Conducted wind tunnel experiments in 1901 to test over 200 wing designs.
- They are considered the “Fathers of Modern Aviation”.
And then look at these facts about the Wrights and their love of bicycles.
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS AND BICYCLES
It may seem unusual that bicycle mechanics could invent the airplane, but it makes sense when you look closer.
Balancing a bicycle and controlling its direction is surprisingly similar to managing an aircraft.
Both of them require an understanding of aerodynamics, efficient use of weight, and the mastery of mechanics.
The Wright brothers’ background in bicycles helped them think about flight in creative new ways, using tools they already had like chains, gears, and lightweight frames to build something new.
Before they turned their attention to flying machines, Wilbur and Orville were successful businessmen and in the late 1890s, bicycles were a booming industry.
Americans loved the newfound freedom bicycles gave them, and the Wright brothers saw an opportunity. In 1892, they opened the Wright Cycle Exchange, which later became the Wright Cycle Company.
They didn’t just sell and repair bicycles—they also designed and built their own.
Their hands-on experience with bicycles taught them about balance, steering, and lightweight structure, knowledge that would later become important to building aircraft.
Bicycles also gave the Wright Brothers a reliable source of income to fund their aeronautical experiments.
More importantly, working on bicycles sharpened their mechanical skills and taught them about efficient gearing and the importance of precise measurements.
Who knew that bicycles played such an important part in the invention of aircraft? But now you won’t be able to think of the two as being so far apart again!
Just like the Wright brothers tinkered, explored, and invented we are going to use this invitation to encourage your child to create a bicycle art piece.
Also, look at What Makes Things Fly | Free Science Of Flight Printable, Free Paper Airplane Templates and YouTube The Wright Brothers for Kids | Bedtime History.
Finally, look at this easy art about bicycles.
EASY BICYCLE ART
Use solid colored cardstock or colorful patterned pages to encourage your child to create a unique colorful piece.
You will need:
- Watercolor Paper
- Watercolor paint
- Construction paper/cardstock
- Glue sticks
- Divided tray
My divided tray originally came with little shallow dishes in each of the spots for serving but most of them were missing and it comes in very handy for a cute little art tray.
Always keep your eyes peeled at thrift stores and yard sales for pieces that can make activities more inviting.
First, cut up construction paper or cardstock into small narrow strips, like that you would need for all the frame pieces, give your child a variety of options.
To elevate this project for an older child you can have them cut their own simple geometric shapes out.
Add some circles and oblong pieces for the wheels and seat as well. To cut them I traced a cup that was smaller on bottom and larger on top to get the inner and outer size.
Cut them out carefully.
Put in a few glue sticks on the tray to secure pieces.
Add everything including a cup of water, watercolor paints, paintbrush, and watercolor paper to the set up.
Now let your child experiment with putting together a bike from the pieces, and talk about what each part of the bike is for as they assemble it.
Once they are happy with their bike, add glue to the back of each piece and press it down.
Continue until the bike is fully assembled.
Encourage your child to paint a watercolor background around the shapes they glued down to make the bike pop and then set it aside to dry.
Fill in all the white areas close to, but not on the glued down paper really elevates this art project.
