Paper Airplane Challenge
Fold, fly, and experiment with paper airplane designs. Hands-on STEM learning with just paper.
What You'll Need
- 1Paper
What You'll Need
Paper (printer paper works great)
Challenge Ideas
**Farthest flight** — whose goes the longest distance?
**Most accurate** — hit a target on the ground.
**Best loops** — can you make it fly in a circle?
**Longest hang time** — stays in the air longest.
How to Do It
Fold a basic paper airplane together.
Test it. Measure the distance.
Modify: bend the wings, add a paper clip, try different folds.
Test again. Compare.
Talk about what changed and why.
Tips
This is real engineering: design, test, iterate.
Try 3+ different designs and record results.
Watch a YouTube tutorial for advanced folds.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 2 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: paper.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors or outdoors?
This activity works great both indoors and outdoors, giving you flexibility based on the weather or your space.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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