How to Make a Paper Boat

In this activity, you will learn how to make the perfect paper boat.

Supplies

• Paper (8.5 in. by 11 in.)
  • The paper you could use can be any size you wish but we found the best results with this size.
• Motivation :D

Step 1: Fold the Paper in Half Vertically

Begin by first getting a piece of paper, for the best results we decided to use a piece of printer paper, lay the paper vertically flat onto the table and fold it from left to right until the two corners are aligned.

*Be sure when you are making your folds, to crease the paper neatly.

Step 2: Fold in Half Horizontally

Once you have made your first crease, begin to unfold and then rotate your paper until it is laying horizontally on the table. Then fold across again from left to right and make a crease.

Step 3: Make a Triangular Fold

While keeping your folded crease, rotate your paper to the left where your paper is back to the paper being vertically, where the opening of your paper is facing you. Once you have done that go to the right-hand corner and fold in the corner towards the center of your page, where you made crease earlier. It should result in creating a triangle shape. Once you have completed this repeat this step onto the left side.

Step 4: Fold the Front Rectangular Flap Up

At the bottom, you will see two excess rectangular flaps of paper. Then bring one of the flaps of the paper up and make a crease where the flap meets the triangle.

*Make sure to only do one of the flaps and not both.

Step 5: Fold the Flap on the Other Side

Flip over the paper and repeat the previous step on that side, by bringing up the bottom flap up and create a crease parallel to where you made your previous crease.

Step 6: Fold the Top Corners of the Rectangle

Now your paper should somewhat resemble a paper hat, next you should notice that where we folded the rectangular flaps up and can see their corners sticking out. First, take the corner of the rectangle that is on top and fold it around the triangle and crease it. After completing this step, repeat it onto the left side.

Step 7: Fold the Corners Over

Now you should see only the flap that is behind the triangles still poking out, take each of these corners and fold them towards you over the over the triangle.

Step 8: Creating the "Diamond" Shape

Now carefully pick up your paper, grab each side of your “paper hat” and slightly open it. Keep pulling the sides apart until it begins to fold and close onto itself, then crease.

*Note: It should make a diamond shape

Step 9: Fold the Bottom of the Diamond Up

Now at the bottom of the diamond take notice that you have an opening with two flaps, take the first flap of your diamond and bring the point up until it reaches the top corner of the diamond, when they parallel and reach each other, proceed to crease the center of the flap. Then after doing that, flip over the paper and repeat the step on the opposite side.

Step 10: Grab Each Side and Fold Inwards

Much like we did in Step 6, grab each side of the triangle and pull apart and you will notice how it will fold in on itself again. Press down and crease once you have the diamond shape again.

*Be careful and gently pull the triangles again, so you do not unfold your previous folds and creases.

Step 11: Pull Outer Diamond Shell Out

Now you should notice how there are two halves of the diamond covering another diamond. Pull the other halves and while holding onto the center piece of your diamond. Allow it to fold out where you have a triangle to pop out of your boat. To make stand up it stands up, creases the bottom of your boat.