How to make a paper aeroplane

The classic dart is the paper aeroplane most of us learned first: seven folds, no scissors, and it flies fast and straight. Watch each fold in 3D, then make your own and test how far it goes.

Easy
Age 5+
About 5 minutes
7 steps
No scissors
Moves: Watch it glide

Lesson at a glance

You need: A sheet of A4 or US Letter paper. No scissors or glue.
Time: About 5 minutes
Level: Easy · age 5+
How to teach it: Show the 3D folder on the board and pause after each step, or print the step sheet for each table. Both show the same folds.

Step 1 of 7

Step 1 of 7Start with the paper upright and the coloured side facing up. Fold it in half from left to right, then open it out again. This crease is the centre line.

Speed Paper Less movement

Keys: left and right arrows go back and forward, Space plays or pauses, R plays the step again, B shows the back. On the 3D picture, the arrow keys turn it and + and − zoom.

How to fold a paper aeroplane: step by step

You need: one sheet of A4 or US Letter printer paper. Thin paper flies best. Use coloured paper, or decorate the wings afterwards.

Start with the paper upright and the coloured side facing up. Fold it in half from left to right, then open it out again. This crease is the centre line.
Fold the two top corners down so their edges meet on the centre line. You have made a pointed roof.
Fold the new slanted edges in to the centre line again, so the point gets sharper.
Fold the aeroplane in half along the centre line, left side over to the right, with the folded flaps inside.
Fold the top wing down: bring its long outer edge to the bottom edge of the body and crease firmly.
Turn the aeroplane over and fold the other wing the same way, so both wings match.
Open the wings out so they are flat and level, and hold the aeroplane underneath the body. Ready to fly!

Finished!

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What children learn

Symmetry: the centre crease is a line of symmetry – every fold on the left is matched on the right.
Angles: the first corner folds make 45° angles; folding again halves them. The nose gets sharper each time.
Forces: talk about lift, drag, thrust and gravity, and why level wings fly further.
Fair testing: change one thing (wing size, nose weight, throwing strength) and measure how far it flies.

Classroom tips for teachers

Maths: measure flights with a tape measure or metre stick, record them in a table and find the mean, median and range. Compare designs on a bar chart.
Science: run a fair test – add a paper clip to the nose, or fold the wing tips up – and predict before you fly.
Fine motor skills: sharp creases matter. Show pupils how to run a thumbnail along each fold.
Group activity: an aeroplane challenge – teams make three designs, fly each three times and present the winner.
SEND tips: pre-crease the centre line, use slightly larger paper, and let pupils watch each fold on the board with the 3D app before they try it.

Curriculum links

Science (Year 5, forces): identify the effects of air resistance; plan a fair test and control the variables.
Maths (Year 4, geometry): identify lines of symmetry; compare angles.
Maths (statistics, Year 2–6): measure flights, record them in tables and bar charts, and find the mean (Year 6).
Design and technology (KS2): make, test and improve a product.

Links to the National Curriculum in England and the EYFS framework. Check the wording against your own school’s plans. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Safety

No scissors needed. Never throw aeroplanes at people’s faces or eyes – fly them across an open space, away from others, and take turns. Collect them before anyone walks across the flight area.

More origami to try

Glider Medium · age 6+Paper boat Medium · age 6+ · moves Jumping frog Medium · age 6+ · moves Cat face Easy · age 4+

All origami models · Home

More for your classroom

Questions teachers ask

Why does my paper aeroplane nosedive?

Usually the wings are bent down or uneven. Open them so they are flat and level, and check both sides match. Bending the back edge of each wing up very slightly lifts the nose.

What paper is best for paper aeroplanes?

Ordinary A4 or US Letter printer paper (80 gsm) is ideal. Thicker paper is heavier and harder to fold sharply; very thin paper can be floppy.

How do I make it fly further?

Make every crease sharp, keep the wings level and throw gently and straight, slightly upwards, rather than hard.