How to make airplane paper airplane

How to Make the World’s Best Paper Airplanes

There are many skills fathers should pass on to their children: how to ride a bike, how to skip a stone, and of course, how to make a paper airplane. When it’s time to show your kids how to fold a humble piece of paper into a soaring jet, don’t stumble around and hastily construct one from the poor memory of your youth — one that takes a disappointing nosedive as soon as it leaves your fingertips. Instead, teach them the art of making a plane that can truly go the distance.

The three designs below are tried and true (you wouldn’t believe some of the science behind paper airplanes) and are perfect beginner, moderate, and expert level models to play with. They go in order from easiest to hardest, so there’s something for every age level — including adult; don’t act like you’re not going to try these out in the break room.

Beginner Level: The Bulldog Dart

This paper airplane is a warm-up of sorts. It’s simple, requires few folds, and flies well. It’s just not going to win you any contests or style points. If it’s your kid’s first time making a real paper airplane, this is a good place to start.

1. First you fold the paper in half lengthwise, and then unfold. This initial crease is simply a guideline for the next folds.

2. Fold the top two corners down so they meet the center crease. This is the classic way to start a paper airplane, and probably what you first learned as a kid.

3. Flip the plane over, and fold the corners in again to the center crease. You want the diagonal line coming off the top of the plane (on the left side) to be lined up with the middle (like on the right side).

After both folds are completed.

4. Fold the top point down so that the tip meets the bottom of where the previous folds come together.

5. Fold the entire plane in half, in on itself. This creates the snub nose, which gives the Bulldog Dart its name.

6. Fold the wings down so that you’re making a straight line across from the top of the snub nose. Repeat on the other side.

The finished Bulldog Dart. This flies better when thrown at lower speeds. Your tendency is to launch it, but the heavy nose will just fly it into the ground. Give it a softer throw and you’ll have better luck.

Intermediate Level: The Harrier

This is a slightly more advanced paper airplane. There are a few more folds, and it flies a bit better than the above Bulldog Dart. This is the perfect middle ground between simple and complex recreational paper aircraft.

1. Fold in half lengthwise and then unfold. As with the Bulldog above, this center crease is just a guide for future folds.

2. Fold the top corners in so they meet at the center crease.

3. Fold the entire top down so that it resembles an envelope. Make sure you leave a half inch or so at the bottom — you don’t want the top point to evenly meet the bottom edge.

4. Fold the top corners in so they meet at the middle. There should be a small triangle tail hanging out beneath these folds.

5. Fold that small triangle up to hold those previous folds in place.

6. Fold in half, but make you sure you fold it outwards on itself, not inwards. You want the previous triangular fold to be visible on the bottom edge.

7. Fold the wing down so its edge meets the bottom edge of the airplane. Repeat on the other side.

The finished Harrier shown below. It has cool pointed wings and has great stability because of the triangle on the bottom.

Expert Level: The Hammer

While there are far more advanced paper airplanes, this one, in my opinion, is the perfect balance of complexity and accessibility for the Average Paper Airplane Joe. It has far more folds than the previous two models, and also flies the best and farthest. Pay attention with this one, folks, and the payoff is well worth it.

1. First, fold the top left corner all the way down so it meets the right edge of the paper. You’ll then unfold, as this will be a guiding crease.

2. Repeat the same thing with the top right corner and unfold.

You should end up with an unfolded sheet of paper with two creases forming an X.

3. Fold the top right corner down so that its edge meets the crease that goes from top left to bottom right.

4. Do the same with the left corner. The top left point should exactly meet the diagonal right edge of the airplane.

5. Fold the plane in half in on itself, then unfold. You’ll use that middle crease as a guide.

6. After you’ve unfolded the previous step, fold the top down so that its edge meets the bottom edge.

7. Fold the top corners down so that their points meet at the middle crease.

8. Unfold — as with many steps in making this airplane, these creases are a guide.

9. Now take what was the top edge that you previously folded down (Step 6) and fold it back up at the point where its edge meets the creases from the previous step.

10. Fold the corners in yet again so that their edge meets both the edge of the top flap and the crease from Step 7.

Both corners folded in, meeting both the top flap and the previously-made creases. These are ultimately the wings.

11. Fold the wings in once more, this time simply folding along the crease that you already made. After this step your plane should have straight lines down from the top to the bottom.

Both wings folded in again; straight edges from top to bottom.

12. Fold the top down from where it meets the top of the wing flaps you created in the previous step.

13. Fold the whole thing in half outward. You want all the paper flaps on the outside of the craft. At this point, folding can become a little tricky because of the thickness of the paper, so take extra care in making good, clean folds.

14. Fold the wings down so that their edge meets the bottom edge of the plane. This creates a small snub nose. Again, this can be a tough fold, so be precise and take your time if you have to.

The finished Hammer. This bad boy flies like a dream.

Other DIY kids projects we’ve featured include:

While you’re making these paper airplanes with your kiddos, tell them some great riddles for kids. Great way to pass the time.

Want to learn more about rediscovering the joys of play? Listen to our podcast interview with Charlie Hoehn, author of Play It Away: A Workaholic’s Cure For Anxiety.

How to Make Paper Airplanes

Do you have the right stuff? If you have ever had dreams of being a pilot, the paper airplanes and paper airplane activities for kids in this article are for you and your kids.

Many of these paper airplanes are based on actual airplanes, like the Thunderhawk or the Thunderdart. Other projects include aviation marvels like rockets. You’ll also find awesome activities you can do with your brand new paper airplanes.

Each link below takes you to step-by-step instructions for each paper airplane or activity. Several paper airplanes also include a PDF pattern you can download and print.

Follow the links below to get started on these great paper airplanes and paper airplane activities:

Figure out what it takes to launch the perfect flight with this cool paper airplane activity.

Find out who makes the best paper airplane in this head-to-head paper airplane challenge.

Learn how to make the paper airplane version of this powerful attack bomber.

The SST Thunderdart is a speedy plane built for quick attacks. Learn how to build its paper airplane counterpart.

Learn how to make this spectacular paper airplane in several easy-to-follow steps.

This unique paper airplane glider features circular wings, which help propel it through the air.

Every good pilot packs a parachute or two. Learn how to make these great paper parachutes in several simple steps.

Blast your paper rocket into outer space with the power of balloon thrusters.

The paper airplane activity in the next section helps you learn how to launch a great paper airplane flight. Keep reading to learn more.

Looking for other great paper crafts? Try:

Paper Plane Lift-Off Activity

The paper plane lift-off activity helps you figure out the factors that make a great paper airplane launch. How your plane flies depends a lot on you.

What You’ll Need:

How to make and play the paper plane lift-off activity:

Step 1: Fold your favorite airplane out of a crisp, clean piece of paper. Decorate it with crayons or markers.

Step 2: Launch your flying machine at your favorite playground, and mark where it lands with a piece of chalk. Try tossing it with your other hand, and mark where it lands. Toss it twice as hard, and mark where it lands. Try it with half the force you originally used.

Has the wind picked up? Has it gone still? See how that affects your flights. Will your paper plane fly straight up? Will it crash if you launch it toward the ground?

Give it a try, and be sure to mark where the flights land. Then compare your marks on the ground, and try to figure out just what it would take to launch the perfect flight.

Challenge a friend to the paper plane playoff activity in the next section, and find out whose plane is best. Keep reading to learn more.

Paper Airplanes Designs

We would be very grateful if you would and I am sure your visitors would too. You can add a link in either of the two ways below and please tell me when you do, I may be able to link back to you.

Flying Fish

One difficult fold inthe whole of this plane. It is a unique design (I think) a bit weird but really flies well in a straight line as a glider. It will stomach a bit of poor folding too so a good one to try if some of the other designs don’t fly well for you.

How to make The Rapier

I love this plane (I did design it but I can brag can’t I?) it flies like a glider but has the elegant shape and great precision of a dart. This plane is the best of both worlds and is so easy to make it must be the best plane on the site!

How to make Paper Helicopter

OK! So it isn’t a plane but it is a good model and when simply dropped it will stay aloft for ages and spiral down excellently.

How to make Paper Rocket

You’re right this is not a paper airplane either but is supremely simple to make and has some very interesting science behind it. This was shown to me by a Cambridge (UK) Physics lecturer so must be a great paper airplane (kinda).

How to make Flying Fish

One difficult fold inthe whole of this plane. It is a unique design (I think) a bit weird but really flies well in a straight line as a glider. It will stomach a bit of poor folding too so a good one to try if some of the other designs don’t fly well for you.

How to make Paper Frisbee

This is great fun and best made out of small squares of paper maybe 15cm by 15cm (6″ by 6″) and thrown like a normal frisbee it will fly quite well especially indoors.

How to make Nick’s Paper airplane

This paper airplane is a superb glider it is very well balanced indeed even when made by the most inexperienced child. It can be quickly made from a sheet of A4 paper and I really like it. I drew this page up and placed it on the internet within a day of learning to make this paper airplane.

How to make Origami Paper Airplane 3

This is a really easy to make paper airplane that you will love flying again and again. The blunt nose makes it really easy to reuse as it does not easily get damaged. It is another classic design that has been around for many years and I really like it.

How to make Blimp/Zeppelin

This isn’t really a plane but is a great little paper airship it looks good and it works great!

How to make Second origami plane

To my knowledge this plane is Japanese in origin and it is a fantastic flier you will love it. Play around with it add stabilisers and flaps, it can be a good stunt plane too.

How to make The classic dart

This paper airplane is designed for bored people in offices, lectures and classrooms the world over. 7 folds and throw, there isn’t a difficult part in making this plane. I must dedicate it to Peter Batey who received my email for a few weeks and sent me this design.

How to make Dmitri’s Paper Airplane

A simple paper airplane design and indeed a real classic. This plane is slightly more complex than the classic dart above but flies further and is more accurate. This design was sent to me by Dmitri through email and so I dedicate it to him on this site.

How to make Floating Paper airplane

This paper airplane is really very good. With its wide wing span and the stabilising winglets at the end of wings it is very stable and flies very far.

How to make Dragon Plane

This is my own design of paper airplane. If you make the wings completely level and throw it hard overarm it will fly fast and level indoors for 30 meters or more and it is quite good outside too. So try it out.

How to make The Edmonton Shadow

I designed this plane about 3 hrs out of heathrow in an airliner on the way to Calgary canada. It is a really fun plane and I am really pleased with it I hope you like it too.

How to make The Swallow

This is a paper airplane my father was making when he was a small boy and the design has stood the test of time it works very well.

How to make Trapezium Paper airplane

This paper airplane is all wing with a heavy nose. The structure of the nose is quite unusual but very effective. Even if thrown as hard as possible at a wall it will be undamaged. The last time I saw the first one of these I made it was flying towards the Severn estuary from the top of a tall tower in Bristol.

How to make Nose Heavy Plane

I think this plane is great and it flies equally as well as the floating paper airplane. I think this is a great plane!

How to make Napkin Paper Airplane

This is a simple design to make but in order for it to fly properly you must practise and that is why it is of medium difficulty. This unusual plane is one of a family of designs and hopefully I will bring you more tubular paper airplanes in the future.

How to make Cobra Paper airplane

This is another of my designs. I am really proud of this one it will fly straight and fast if thrown hard but it also glides fantastically. There are a few tough folds but I am sure by this stage you will have mastered all the skills required!

How to make Origami Paper airplane/Dart

It is hard to decide if this is a airplane or dart. It is very dense at the front and if thrown hard will fly far. This is a hard exercise in folding and also for me in writing and drawing instructions. Hope you like it!

How to make The Lightning

This is my own design which appears identical to the original Sabertooth paper airplane but is a totally different design. This paper airplane will fly superbly if made well, try it out.

How to make Sabertooth paper airplane

The sabertooth paper airplane flies fantastically if thrown straight up into the air or as a normal glider. It is great!

How to make Worst ever paper airplane

This plane is truly terrible. Nothing can be done to overcome the fact that is about as adept at flying as the Titanic if a little more attractively plane shaped. I do not like this plane but you might want to try it out for yourself once I have shown you how to make it.

How to make An improvement on the Worst ever paper airplane

How to make Chris’ Paper airplane

This plane was sent to me in an email by a visitor to my site and I thought it was so good that I would post it for you all to have a go. It is a very good glider and well worth a fly!

How to Make Paper Airplanes That Go Far

Have you ever made a paper airplane?

Did you learn how to make it from a book? Or maybe it was from the kid you shared a desk with in the third grade?

We tested a few designs, and one of them really stood out as a winner (I’ll share it below). You’ll have to test some, too, and see which one flies the furthest.

How to Make Paper Airplanes that go Far

Well guess what? Today I’m sharing links to instructions for making paper airplanes that go far and actually work, along with some ideas on how to help kids invent their own paper airplane designs.

So let’s get started with How to Make Paper Airplanes while building Design Skills…

Paper Airplane Supplies

The Best Paper Airplane Designs

Step One: Select a Design

We looked through all of our designs, picked one to start with, and my daughter and I sat down and followed the directions for the first airplane. If you’ve ever made origami, it’s the same approach. Most of the steps were easy enough for her four-year old hands and mind, but I had to help her with a few of the trickier folds.

If you find instructions that are too complicated for you, then skip them and find another plane to make.

Step Two: Teach someone else how to make a plane

Once we got the hang of it, N thought our six-year old neighbor would enjoy this project and we invited him over to join us. Either that or misery loves company.

We each started with another sheet of paper and while we folded, the kids educated each other on hamburger and hot dog folds. If you don’t have a neighbor to teach, teach a parent, babysitter, or grandparent. This step does wonders for building confidence.

Step Three: Iterate and Invent New Planes

Once that first airplane was complete, it was interesting to see where the kids took the project next. My daughter, a designer to the core, got busy decorating her plane with markers. Her friend, a tinkerer at heart who has a soft spot for Legos, began iterating on the design to improve it!

As we folded, he asked me questions like, “On your Eagle, how did you make the wing tips?” And then he proceeded to invent his own series of planes with pointed noses, flat noses, and wing tips.

When my daughter jumped in to help him, I commented that they were iterating. I actually said, “Hey you guys are iterating! Do you know that word? It means that you’re building a lot of planes to test new ideas and in order to figure out how to make it better. Can you say ‘iterate?’” And then of course, they obliged me.

I swear, the teacher thing will probably never leave my soul! Do you ever find yourself in that mode?

Step Four: Take it outdoors

They tested their planes in the house and once they amassed a small fleet of planes, I heard, “Let’s have an airplane show!!” So we took it outdoors to see what the planes could do.

Our friend guessed that the pointy-nosed planes would get more distance and said he was “amazed that the flat-nosed Eagle flew the best.”

All in all, we spent a good hour on this project, and in the end not only did these kids have fun bonding and playing together, but they came away with some new design skills, tools for developing an innovator’s mindset, and good ol’ fine motor skill practice.

A question for you…

Did you ever make paper airplanes as a child? Where did you learn how to make them? And how did they fly?

How to make airplane paper airplane

Currently nine different paper aeroplanes are uploaded on this site; however, I’ll be updating with more, so remember to check back.

How to make a paper aeroplane: my design rules

Different people have different rules on how to make paper aeroplanes. Some people have no rules at all.

Ultimately, there is no objective reason why any set of rules is better than any others; however, these are the rules that I grew up with, and are inherent in all of my designs. Sticking to these rules requires one to understand both aerodynamics and origami, making the design process somewhat challenging.

1) A paper aeroplane should be made from just one piece of A4* paper. Paper aeroplane designs should not incorporate any additional material. No tape, no glue, no staples, no paper clips.

2) The paper is sacred, it should not be cut or torn. If I want to achieve a certain wing or fuselage shape, or shift the centre of gravity in a certain way, I can’t cut my way there, I have to fold my way there.

3) Paper aeroplane designs should be capable of approximately straight, level flight – provided they are calibrated correctly. I’ve never had much interest in producing paper aeroplanes that look beautiful, but can’t actually fly.

*A4 is a standard paper size in the UK and Australia (the two countries where the bulk of my visitors come from) and for most of the world. However, I realise that in America a slightly different standard size is used. The designs on this site are optimised for A4 sized paper; however, using standard US letter sized paper works almost as well in most cases.