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Soaring High on National Paper Airplane Day

By Jessica Schwartz | May 23, 2023

Every year on May 26th, in honor of National Paper Airplane Day, we celebrate the joy and simplicity of paper airplanes. While the exact origin of the paper airplane is unknown, these humble creations have been enjoyed by children and adults alike for generations. Paper airplanes are also a great STEM or STEAM project. So, whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, join us as we dive into the art of crafting paper airplanes, explore the science behind their flight, and discover exciting challenges to test your aviation skills and let your creativity take flight!

How to Make a Basic Paper Airplane:

A paper airplane is a simple toy built by folding paper into the shape of an airplane. They are built to be thrown so they can fly through the air. Paper airplane crafting is an easy and enjoyable activity that encourages creativity and problem-solving. Here’s how to make a basic paper airplane:

  1. Start with a rectangular piece of paper. Letter-sized or A4 paper works well.
  2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise, bringing the shorter edges together. Ensure the corners align perfectly.
  3. Unfold the paper and fold each top corner diagonally towards the center crease. This will form two triangles at the top.
  4. Fold the top triangle down to meet the bottom edge of the paper, creating a horizontal crease.
  5. Fold the entire paper in half along the center crease, bringing the two short edges together.
  6. Finally, make small triangular folds on each wing to stabilize the airplane.

Once you have the basics down, you can get creative. Try different shapes and sizes. Use different colored paper or decorate your own. The possibilities are endless!

Understanding Flight Mechanics:

To truly appreciate the wonder of paper airplanes, let’s explore the basic principles that govern their flight. Throw your paper airplane forward to see four different elements of flight in action:

  1. Lift is the upward force that allows an airplane to overcome gravity and stay airborne. The shape and angle of the wings determine the lift generated. You can see this in action by trying different wing shapes and changing the number of folds in your airplane’s wings.
  2. Drag is the resistance encountered by an airplane as it moves through the air. Sleek and streamlined designs minimize drag, enabling better flight performance. Play around with your design to see how the size and the shape of the airplane effects how fast and smoothly the play flies through the air.
  3. Thrust is the forward force that propels the airplane through the air. In the case of paper airplanes, the thrust comes from your initial throw. You can change the thrust by playing around with your throwing technique. You could even create a paper airplane launcher to really increase thrust.
  4. Gravity is the force that pulls the airplane downward, or toward the earth. The more mass an object has, the more it is affected by gravity. Try building airplanes from different sizes and weights of paper. You will need to balance the other forces with gravity to maintain a stable flight.

Exciting Paper Airplane Challenges:

Now that you’ve mastered the art of crafting a paper airplane and understand the science behind its flight, let’s explore some fun challenges to put your creations to the test:

  1. Distance Challenge: Set up a long runway and measure how far your paper airplane can travel. Experiment with different designs, folds, and weights to see which configuration achieves the greatest distance.
  2. Precision Landing: Mark a landing zone and attempt to land your paper airplane as close to the target as possible. Adjust your throws and control the flight path to achieve pinpoint accuracy.
  3. Time Aloft: Launch your paper airplane and time how long it remains airborne. Explore different wing shapes and angles to achieve maximum flight duration.
  4. Aerobatics: Get creative and perform tricks and stunts with your paper airplane. Can it do loops, flips, or rolls? Test your piloting skills and see what maneuvers you can master.
  5. Design Challenge: Get creative and make a truly unique paper airplane. Experiment with unconventional shapes, sizes, or materials to see how they affect flight performance.

National Paper Airplane Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the art and science of paper airplanes. So, grab a sheet of paper, unleash your creativity, and let your paper airplanes soar high into the sky, inspiring wonder and joy in the hearts of all who witness their flight!

Posted in Kids Blog