How To Make a Flapping Paper Airplane

This isn't your standard paper airplane. Learn how to make a paper airplane that flaps its wings when it flies!

Step 1  

Start with a sheet of paper.

Step 2  

Fold diagonally in order to create a square.

Step 3  

Cut or tear off the excess paper.

Step 4  

Now you have a square.

Step 5  

Create creases along the diagonals.

Step 6  

Push in the sides.

Step 7  

Collapse to form a triangle.

Step 8  

Unfold the left side.

Step 9  

Fold the side down.

Step 10  

Unfold the flap you just folded on step nine, then fold a new, smaller flap.

Step 11  

Refold along flap created in step nine.

Step 12  

Flip the small flap up.

Step 13  

Repeat steps 9-12 on opposite side, then fold the wings up.

Step 14  

Turn the flapper right side up.

Step 15  

Now, to fold the front end...

Step 16  

Place a small coin into one of the two slots at the front of the plane.

Step 17  

Fold the right flap over the two slots (one of which has a penny/small coin in it) and tuck inside.

Step 18  

Fold other flap over previous flaps.

Step 19  

Tape flap to plane.

Step 20  

To fly the flapper, hold it in front and throw hard for optimal flapping.

Tips

• You can secure your folds by going over them with a ruler, or a coin.
• If you already have a square piece of paper, skip steps 1, 2, and 3
• A4-sized paper is European/Australian paper size - it is slightly longer and thinner than US/Canadian letter size but this should not matter since the paper used is at the first step cut into a perfect square.

Warnings

• Don't throw the airplane at people or animals. It can damage someone's eyes.

Things You'll Need

• 1 Sheet of Paper
• 1 Penny or Small Coin
• Tape
• Scissors
• Hands