Paper airplanes can be so much fun, especially for young kids! Its an easy, inexpensive way to entertain kids for hours. Additionally, it promotes creativity and independence for a young child to be able to create their own entertainment.

Supplies

All you need is a sheet of paper! The entirety of one standard (8.5 x 11 inch) sheet of paper is used to create one paper airplane.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Gather your supplies! As mentioned, only a single sheet of paper is required. But feel free to gather some friends, as well! Give everybody their own sheet of paper.

Step 2: Fold Paper in Half

Position the paper vertically (portrait) and fold in half along the long edge. This is simply to make a crease in the exact center of the sheet of paper.

Step 3: Fold in the Upper Corners

Unfold the sheet of paper to expose the crease created, and fold each of the top corners into the center crease as pictured. Make sure the two folds create a point at the top of the center crease.

Step 4: Fold Point Towards Bottom of Page

Your last two folds have created a straight edge about one-third up the sheet of paper. Fold the newly created point at the top of the sheet down, creasing the paper along that newly created straight edge. The sheet of paper will now resemble the outline of an envelope.

Step 5: Fold Down the Top Corners

Similar to step 3, fold the upper corners down towards the center of the sheet of paper. This time, DO NOT create a point at the top of the sheet. Rather, leave a one-inch flat edge at the top of the sheet. Make sure the corners that are folded down are touching but leave a triangle exposed from the flap folded down in step 4.

Step 6: Fold the Small Tab to Lock Corners in Place

In step 5, we left a small triangle exposed from the fold in step 4. Fold this triangle up, locking the corners folded down in step 5 in place.

Step 7: Fold Sheet in Half

Flip the airplane over, and fold in half symmetrically. This fold should be along the crease created in step 2, but inversed.

Step 8: Fold Wing

The plane now has two flap that will become the wings. With the long straight edge of the plane closest to you, fold one of the flaps back towards you, lining up the longest edge of the flap with the bottom edge of the airplane nearest you.

Step 9: Fold Other Wing

Flip the airplane over, and repeat step 8 with the other wing. This fold should line up with the bottom of the airplane, as well as with the crease created from the fold in step 8.

Step 10: "Fluff" Folds From Step 8 and 9

You may have creased the folds in steps 8 and 9 too much - unfold and "fluff" the wings until they create a flat surface perpendicular to the stem of the airplane. In flight, the wings should be parallel with the ground.

Step 11: Fly Your Airplane

Give your airplane a light toss, and watch it glide through the air with ease! Practice throwing until you find the perfect technique - you'll want to throw it hard enough to get some distance, but soft enough to allow the airplane to "float" on the air.