Soar into Fun: Design a Paper Airplane!

For kids

Learn how to make a paper airplane that flies! Follow these easy steps to create your own flying machine and see how far it can go. Get ready for some high-flying fun!

What You'll Need

• A single sheet of paper (8.5 x 11 inches is best)
• A flat surface like a table
• Your hands!

Steps to Build Your Airplane

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise (hotdog style). Open it back up.
2. Fold the top two corners of the paper down to the center crease.
3. Fold the top edges down again to the center crease. Your airplane should look like a pointy roof now.
4. Fold the entire airplane in half along the center crease.
5. Fold down the wings. Make sure they are even.
6. You're done! Time to fly!

Let's Test and Improve!

Now it's time to fly your airplane! Throw it gently and see how far it goes. Does it fly straight, or does it dive down? Try different things to make it fly better:

• Wing adjustments: Bend the wing flaps up or down to change how it flies.
• Throwing power: Try different throwing angles and speeds.
• Experiment: Try making your airplane from different kinds of paper.

Troubleshooting

If your airplane doesn't fly well, here are some things to try:

• Check the folds: Make sure all the folds are neat and crisp.
• Wing shape: Make sure both wings are the same shape.
• Try again: Paper airplanes take practice! Keep trying different folds and throwing styles.

Safety

Always be careful when throwing your airplane. Make sure there are no people or breakable objects in the way. Throw it in a safe, open space, like a park or a big room. Always have a grown-up nearby.

Why This Works

Paper airplanes fly because of something called air pressure. The wings push the air down, and that makes the airplane go up! The shape of the wings and the way you throw the plane also make a big difference.

Have fun building and flying your paper airplane! You can even have a contest with your friends to see whose plane flies the farthest. Happy flying!