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Make Paper Airplanes: Fun STEM Activity for Kids

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How to Make Paper Airplanes: A Fun STEM Activity for Kids

Paper airplanes are a classic toy that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They're also a great way to teach kids about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In this blog post, we'll show you how to make three different paper airplanes, each with its own unique flying characteristics. We'll also provide some tips on how to modify your airplanes so you can create your own custom designs.

Materials:

  • Paper (any type will work, but printer paper is a good choice)
  • Scissors
  • A ruler (optional)

Instructions:

1. The Simple Airplane

  1. Start with a piece of paper that is 8.5 x 11 inches.
  2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise.
  3. Unfold the paper and then fold it in half widthwise.
  4. Unfold the paper again and then fold the top two corners down to the center crease.
  5. Fold the paper in half lengthwise again.
  6. Fold the wings down along the creases you made in step 4.
  7. Your simple airplane is now ready to fly!

2. The Glider

  1. Start with a piece of paper that is 8.5 x 11 inches.
  2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise.
  3. Unfold the paper and then fold it in half widthwise.
  4. Unfold the paper again and then fold the top two corners down to the center crease.
  5. Fold the paper in half lengthwise again.
  6. Fold the wings down along the creases you made in step 4, but this time, only fold them down about halfway.
  7. Your glider is now ready to fly!

3. The Dart

  1. Start with a piece of paper that is 8.5 x 11 inches.
  2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise.
  3. Unfold the paper and then fold it in half widthwise.
  4. Unfold the paper again and then fold the top two corners down to the center crease.
  5. Fold the paper in half lengthwise again.
  6. Fold the wings down along the creases you made in step 4, but this time, fold them down all the way.
  7. Your dart is now ready to fly!

Tips for Modifying Your Paper Airplanes:

  • You can change the size of your paper airplanes by using different sizes of paper.
  • You can also change the shape of your paper airplanes by folding them in different ways.
  • You can add weight to your paper airplanes by taping coins or other small objects to them.
  • You can also add lift to your paper airplanes by cutting out small slits in the wings.

Experiment and Have Fun!

The best way to learn how to make paper airplanes is to experiment and have fun. Try different folding techniques and see what works best for you. And don't be afraid to make mistakes - that's all part of the learning process.

So what are you waiting for? Start folding some paper airplanes and see how far you can fly them!