FREE · ILLUSTRATED · STEP BY STEP
Pick a plane.
Make it your own.
Learn to make paper airplanes with clear written steps, diagrams and an interactive guide you can pause and replay.
Just a sheet of paper? Start with Basic Dart.
No scissors, no glue, no account.
A SMALL COLLECTION, THREE WAYS TO MAKE
Choose by what you have
Fold a sheet, cut a template, or assemble a paper bird. Paper sizes below are the sizes used in these adaptations.
Start here · Fold only
Basic Dart
Make a narrow body, then open two wings. The simplest materials list in this collection.
- Paper
- US Letter · 8.5 × 11 in
- Tools
- No scissors or glue
- Guide
- Preparation + 9 numbered steps
Cut & fold
Cut-and-fold Glider
Draw a connected wing-and-tail outline, cut it out, then fold the front edge four times.
- Paper
- 8 × 11 in blank
- Tools
- Scissors, ruler and pencil · No glue
- Guide
- Preparation + 7 numbered steps
Cut, fold & assemble · Adult pin handling
Paper Bird
Make broad wings and a diamond tail with a shallow V. Includes pin weights; not a first choice for young children.
- Paper
- 8 × 4 in blank
- Tools
- Scissors, ruler, pencil, 2 pins and tape
- Guide
- Preparation + 6 numbered steps
From paper to finished shape
- Prepare. Check the paper size and tools on your chosen tutorial.
- Follow each step. Read the instructions, compare the diagram, or replay the action.
- Check your work. Use the alignment checks before moving to the next step.
Every guide is readable without JavaScript. Interactive views are optional.