Maples drop things like these and every single one of the ones that fall in my beds sprouts. I just pull them out as I see them and the ones in the lawn get mowed.

Mulch slows them down a bit, but it sure doesn't stop them altogether.

Those "helicopter things" are the maple's seed pods.

the only effective way I know to get rid of them is to pull, pull, pull the tiny saplings as they sprout.

have fun ;)