To learn how to make paper airplanes, simply let your imagination go wild. It only takes a few sheets of standard, letter size paper to create a simple origami airplane. You can be as creative as you would like to.
How to Make Paper Airplanes: Classic Dart
One of the most common and simplest types of paper airplanes is the classic dart airplane. To make it, use a standard, letter size sheet of paper and follow these directions.
- Fold the paper in half, lengthwise. Open it back up.
- Bring the top and bottom left corners to the center fold line and crease.
- Next, fold each of these corners to the center fold, to create a point at the tip of the airplane. This should create a "V" shaped nose of the plane.
- Fold the two sides together along the center fold.
- Fold the wing on each side down at a right angle, about at the center of the back edge of the plane.
You can view a demonstration of how to fold the classic dart paper airplane by watching this YouTube video.
Make a Paper Stunt Plane
Another fun paper airplane is the stunt plane. This is a simplistic plane to make. Start with a square sheet of paper. Origami paper works well for this plane.
- Fold the paper in half vertically. Align the corners and crease well. Open the paper back up.
- Fold the paper in half horizontally. Crease and open it back up.
- Take the left edge and fold in, to meet the center fold. It's important to line up this fold as perfectly as possible.
- Fold the top and bottom left corners in, so that the top edge of the corner meets the center fold on the paper.
- Next, fold the top section down to the center, horizontal fold. With this fold, you should create a point on the left side of the paper. The fold you are creating should run right at the tip of the folded corner.
- Repeat this process with the bottom left corner as well. When complete, this should create a "V" shape with the left 3/4ths of the paper.
- Now, fold the point that was just created in, so that it meets the apex of the "V" shape.
- Fold the entire plane in half, along the horizontal center fold. Crease well.
- Valley fold the back portion of the plane, now. This means, you will fold the bottom, right edge of the paper within itself. Fold until it meets the top of the sides, which also is at the point you just folded in.
- To make the wings of the stunt paper plane, fold the top right point down. You will create a fold that runs from the top front corner of the plane to the bottom lower corner of the plane.
- Repeat this process for the other wing. Re-crease the folds created so the wings remain at a 90-degree angle to the plane.
To see a visual instruction for this stunt paper plane, visit Origami Calendar.com.
Creative Fun with Paper Airplanes
Children love to make paper airplanes. Encourage them to create their own designs or to try and tweak designs for different flight patterns. These planes are a great form of pretend play for them. You can encourage children to paint or color the planes, as well. They may want to make an entire fleet of them.
More Complex Paper Airplanes
For those who want to learn how to make paper airplanes that are a bit more complex, there are some excellent options available. For more great choices, visit the LoveToKnow article How to Make Origami Paper Airplanes.
