Paper Plane Design Challenge

30 mins Ages 5-12 Indoor

A playful, screen-free adventure designed to spark curiosity, sensory exploration, and fine motor skills for kids aged 5 to 12.

Materials Needed

  • • A4 paper (10 sheets)
  • • Tape measure or ruler (1)
  • • Masking tape (small amount)
  • • Pen and paper for recording (1)
  • • Paper clips (optional) (3–5)

Pro Tips

  • → Try 3 different designs and compare results
  • → Add a paper clip to the nose for balance
  • → Record distances on a chart

Safety First

Fly planes away from faces. No sharp folds aimed at others.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Step 1

Fold 3 different paper plane designs — a basic dart, a wide glider, and a creative design.

2

Step 2

Mark a launch line with tape.

3

Step 3

Launch each plane 3 times and measure the distance.

4

Step 4

Record all distances on a chart.

5

Step 5

Discuss: which design went farthest? Why? Can you improve it?

What they are learning

Aerodynamics basics Testing and iterating Distance measurement