How to Make Paper Airplanes With Children?

Want to learn how to make paper airplanes, send a message of love across the sky, or find the fastest vehicle to challenge your friends? We'll show you how.

Most children dream of learning to fly, so how about letting their parents teach them this valuable lesson in every way? With this goal in mind, we’ll teach you how to make paper airplanes with your little ones.

This activity will metaphorically initiate this wonderful and special process. Let’s take off!

Learn how to make paper airplanes with your children

According to a study conducted in 2018, origami or the artistic elaboration of paper figures (boats, airplanes, and other simple games) allows children to develop their creativity, promote their relaxation, and enhance the development of their fine motor skills.

For this reason, we’ll present different ideas for making paper airplanes: From the most classic to a supersonic racing plane. Take note!

1. Classic paper airplanes

Do you remember those years when you used to make paper airplanes and flew them with your parents or friends? It’s time to pass on this legacy to your little ones. To do so, you’ll only need letter-sized paper.

Step-by-step instructions

1. To start, fold a piece of paper in half at the long side and unfold it to leave only the mark.
2. Then, on the widest part of the sheet, make two triangles so that they end in a point (as if it were the roof of a house).
3. Fold one of the halves that divides the point to the left, towards the mark of the initial fold.
4. Do the same with the other part to further reinforce the tip of the plane.
5. To finish, turn the plane around to the back and fold it down in two parts (just as you did on the back).

2. Paper airplanes in the shape of a heart

The best symbol of friendship and love for each other is a heart. With this idea, we suggest that you make this airplane fly as high as you want and beyond. In addition, you can always incorporate a secret message inside one of the wings for that special someone.

Materials

• Decorative paper
• Scissors
• Glue

Step-by-step instructions

1. Make a rectangle on the paper and draw on one of the shorter sides two half circles (as if they were two ears).
2. Cut out the figure and fold it in half at the longest part. Next, create the nose of the plane by twisting the top corners towards the center.
3. Then fold the front part to the center of the paper and bring the ends to the middle. This creates a new tip.
4. All that’s left is to fold it in half and glue so that the two parts don’t separate.

3. A supersonic airplane

Are you ready for the most exciting and fastest takeoff of all? If so, congratulations, pay attention to the step-by-step instructions and don’t miss any detail to be the first one to fly!

Step-by-step instructions

1. With the paper in an upright position, fold it in half and make sure the corners match perfectly when folded.
2. Then, fold the top two corners towards the center, triangle tip down (until the tip meets the bottom edge of the sheet), and seal well with your fingers.
3. Fold the tip of the triangle again, but this time in the opposite direction, making sure that about half of the triangle is sticking out.
4. Once you’ve done this, make sure to mark all the edges well and fold the plane again in the center, leaving the previous folds on the inside.
5. Fold down the top and make sure it’s at right angles to the tip of the plane.
6. Finally, fold the wing tips up slightly. This will not only give it a sleeker appearance, but will also make it fly faster.

Learning to fly and make paper airplanes with children as a family

As a study developed by the University of Manizales proved, teaching little ones the taste of freedom is a great privilege. Therefore, this craft can be the perfect opportunity to start with this learning process.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these crafts with your family, friends, and loved ones. Now that you have learned how to make paper airplanes, you’ll see that it’s like riding a bicycle: You’ll never forget it.