Introduction: Paper Helicopter

This paper helicopter is not really origami because it requires scissors to make, so I hesitate to to call it an origami Helicopter. The paper helicopter is fairly easy to make and is very fun to play with. Toss it in the air and you can watch it spin as it floats down gently. It's one of the coolest things you can make out of a small piece of paper.

You can make the paper helicopter as small or big as you like, But I recommend starting out small so you can try out different propeller and base shapes and sizes without wasting too much paper. You can make thinner, thicker, or longer propellers and bases to see how well the variations perform.

Step 1: Materials

For the paper helicopter you will need

  • Small piece of paper
  • scissors
  • tape

Step 2: 2

Cut the top to almost half way, splitting the top into two flaps.

Step 3: 3

Fold down one of the flaps.

Step 4: 4

Turn the figure over.

Step 5: 5

Fold down the other flap. Both flaps should now be folded on opposite sides.

Step 6: 6

Lift up the flaps to a 90 degree angle. These are propellers.

Step 7: 7

About 1/4 of the propellers, cut a horizontal slit about 1/3 the width of the paper.

Step 8: 8

Turn the figure over and cut the same way.

Step 9: 9

Now you can fold in one side of the base.

Step 10: 10

Turn the figure over and fold in the other side of the base

Step 11: 11

From here, use tape to tape around the bottom base. The idea is to provide a little weight at the base so that the propellers can spin well. If your using tape and it does not spin well, Just add a little more tape.

Step 12: Finished With the Paper Helicopter!

Toss the helicopter in the air or drop it from somewhere high and watch it float down spinning. If it's not spinning enough, you might need a little more weight at the base.