Our easy paper airplane folding instructions are the perfect boredom buster for kids! Learn how to fold a plane and test the best design.
Keri from Backyard Summer Camp here! Folding a paper airplane is a pretty simple kids’ craft, so I rounded up three different ways to make one. Try each one and test them to see which one is the best!
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Paper airplanes are one of those iconic crafts that every kid should learn how to make at some point. All you need to make one is paper, although scissors can come in handy if you want to make a small airplane.
Keep your airplane simple or break out the markers and crayons so everyone can customize their airplane with colors and designs.
Tracking the Best Paper Airplane
Turn this into an educational STEM activity for even more fun. After you make all of the airplane designs, come up with a few of your own. Then make a spreadsheet to track how each one does.
On the left side of the spreadsheet, list each airplane you’re testing. You can use the names we have below or come up with your own!
Next, add a column for each thing that you want to measure. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Type of paper used
- Size, length and width (measure with a ruler)
- Distance it flies (mark a starting line in your backyard)
- Weight (a kitchen scale is best for lightweight measuring)
- Speed (use a stopwatch; your phone clock probably includes one)
You might also be interested in how far up your paper airplane can fly and whether it lands flat, nose-down, etc.
Try making the same airplane using different paper, or in different sizes, to see if that makes a difference. Consider other things that might affect your flyer, like the wind or how tall the person throwing it is.
After you’ve done all the tests, use that information to decide which paper airplane is “best!”
How To Make a Paper Airplane
We made our flyers tiny using 3-inch squares of paper, but you can make these any size.
What You Need:
Here’s what you’ll need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable craft card at the bottom of this post.
Craft Tools Needed:
Supplies Needed:
- Paper – printer paper, card stock, scrapbook paper, junk mail, etc.
- Glue or glue dots, optional but handy to hold the body closed
Paper Airplane Folding Step by Step Photos
The Arrow Plane
This arrow plane is a classic shape. It will fly easily, but probably won’t be the fastest or fly the farthest.
The Bullet Plane
The bullet plane has a slim shape and a pointy nose, which makes it great at flying fast.
The Glider
A glider, as the name suggests, glides. It will stay in the air longer than other designs, but will be a bit slower than the bullet.
Paper Airplane
Equipment
- 1 ruler
- 1 Pair of scissors
- 1 big open space like a backyard or park
Ingredients
- 3 pieces paper printer paper, card stock, scrapbook paper, junk mail, etc
- 1 package glue or glue dots optional but handy to hold the body closed
Instructions
Arrow Plane
- Start with a square of paper. Fold it in half to mark the center, then unfold it and fold two corners toward the center to make a point.
- Fold in half using the center crease again.
- Then fold the ends in half, back toward the center, to make the wings.
Bullet Plane
- Start with a square of paper. Fold it in half to mark the center, then unfold it and fold two corners toward the center to make a point.
- Fold the same corners in toward the center a second time, making the point sharper.
- Fold in half using the center crease again.
- Then fold the bottom corners down to line up square with the back of the plane.
Paper Glider
- Start with a square of paper. Fold it in half to mark the center, then unfold it and fold two corners toward the center to make a point.
- Take that point and fold it back on itself; the nose should be flat.
- Fold in half using the center crease again.
- Fold both wings down, leaving a small section for the body of the plane and fold each end of the wings down a small amount.
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What’s Next?
If you liked this paper airplane, then be sure to check out Backyard Summer Camp for more creative play ideas.
More Kids’ Craft Ideas
If you enjoyed this paper airplane then you will love these grade school crafts:
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