If you love airplanes, try out some of these paper creations in Building Vehicles That Fly. These paper engineering projects will help you learn the science behind how planes are designed and built. If you understand how the forces of aerodynamics work, you can make a paper airplane that flies really far! In several of the books listed below the directions are really clear with color photographs to help you make the folds correctly. Start out with a couple easy ones and then try something more challenging.
What You Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Paper Clips
Do an experiment with three paper airplanes folding the exact same way with the exact same size of paper. Fly all three planes and measure how far they go. What happens if you add one paperclip to each? What happens of you add 2? Or 3? Record your results.
Websites, Printables & Activities
- NASA: How to Make a Dart Airplane
- NASA: How to Build a Paper Jet Model
- NASA: How to Make a Blunt Nose Airplane
- NASA: Four Forces on an Airplane
- NASA: What Is Aerodynamics?
- Printable: PBS Kids Fetch Hang Time
- Exploratorium Try This! Paper Airplanes
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Airplane Models & Toys
You can also ask a math and science expert for homework help by calling the Ask Rose Homework Hotline. They provide FREE math and science homework help to Indiana students in grades 6-12.
e-Books & Audiobooks
Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about paper airplanes at any of our locations, or check out paper airplane e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.
Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. Additionally, the Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
Paper Airplanes – Draw or Fold These Aerodynamic Marvels
If you love airplanes, try out some of these paper creations and engineering projects to learn the science behind how planes are designed and built.