The Ultimate Paper Airplane Guide: Fun Challenges For Kids
The Ultimate Paper Airplane Guide: Fun Challenges For Kids
Paper airplanes are more than just for fun, they are a great way to help develop kids fine motor skills, learn basic physics concepts like lift and drag, and encourage experimentation. The best part all of this fun is it only requires a piece of paper. We also offer ready to go printables for use in completing the Air Of The Wolf adventure.
How To Make The Best Airplanes
Here are 3 simple airplane designs, the Dart, the Glider, and the Stunt. Each one fly’s differently so try them all and experiment to see which one fly’s best.
The Dart (Best for Distance)
Fold the paper in half lengthwise and then unfold.
Fold the top two corners down to the center crease.
Fold the angled edges down to the center again.
Fold the paper in half along the original crease.
Fold both sides down to create wings.
Adjust the wings slightly upward for better flight
The Glider (Best for Long Flight Time)
Fold the paper in half lengthwise and unfold.
Fold the top edge down about an inch.
Fold the top two corners down to meet in the center.
Fold the angled edges down to the center again.
Fold the entire plane in half.
Fold the wings down, keeping them large and flat.
The Stunt Plane (Best for Loops & Tricks)
Fold the paper in half lengthwise and unfold.
Fold the top two corners down to the center.
Fold the top point down.
Fold the top two edges to the center again.
Fold the entire plane in half.
Fold the wings down and curl the tips up slightly.
Paper Airplane Books
For hands on directions and special paper for making airplanes these books are super handy. I have tried the Klutz book and really liked it, we got lots of use out of it.
1. The Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes
2. Paper Airplane Kit
3. My First Paper Airplane Book
Fun Paper Airplane Challenges
Take this activity to the next level by creating challenges. Here are 4 fun challenges to try:
1. Distance Challenge – see who can fly the farthest
2. Accuracy Challenge – aim for a target like a frisbee or hula hoop & see who can land closest to the target
3. Longest Flight Challenge – time who can stay in the air the longest
4. Loop-The-Loop Challenge – which plane can do the most flips
Grab our Paper Airplane Challenge Printables to track your results.
The Science Behind Paper Airplanes
Why do some planes fly farther than others? It all comes down to four forces: lift, drag, thrust, and gravity.
Lift: The force that pushes the plane upward. Adjusting wing shape and angle can affect how much lift a plane generates.
Drag: Air resistance that slows the plane down. A smoother, more aerodynamic design reduces drag.
Thrust: The forward force you apply when throwing the plane. A harder throw generates more thrust, but the design of the plane also plays a role.
Gravity: The force that pulls the plane toward the ground. A lighter plane may stay in the air longer, but it also depends on how well lift counteracts gravity.
Get Your Paper Airplane Printables
To make this activity even easier, we’ve created a set of printables to add more fun to this learning challenge. Whether you are working on the Air of the Wolf requirement, working on a homeschool lesson, or doing an experiment in class, these ready to go printables will make the activity even more fun.
