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Amber Robertson

Amber Robertson is the founder of Quill and Fox. A creative writing studio that helps people find their voice and share their stories. Amber is also a published author, with her first book slated for release in 2020. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, writing, and traveling. When Amber was younger, she loved to write short stories and plays. But somewhere along the way, she lost touch with her creativity. It wasn’t until she became a mom that she realized how important it was to share her stories—both the good and the bad—with the people she loves most. That’s when Quill and Fox was born. Amber is passionate about helping others find their voice and share their stories. She believes that every person has a story worth telling, and it’s her mission to help them tell it in a way that is authentic and true to themselves

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The Art of Making Paper Airplanes: From Beginner to Expert
Amber Robertson
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Man holding a paper airplane.

Remember the skills your father passed down to you? Riding a bike, skipping stones, and, of course, making paper airplanes. But don’t settle for a disappointing nosedive. Instead, let’s explore three tried-and-true paper airplane designs that will soar through the air and capture the imagination of children and adults alike.

Beginner Level: The Bulldog Dart

This paper airplane is the ideal warm-up. Simple and easy to fold, it flies well and serves as a great introduction to paper aircraft construction.

  1. Start by folding the paper in half lengthwise and then unfolding it. This initial crease will guide your next folds.

Step 1 — sheet of paper folded in half.

  1. Fold the top two corners down to meet the center crease. This classic technique is probably the first one you learned as a kid.

Step 2 — fold top corners down to meet middle crease.

  1. Flip the plane over and fold the corners in again to the center crease. Ensure that the diagonal line coming off the top of the plane is aligned with the middle on both sides.

Step 3 — flip over and fold corners again.

  1. Fold the top point down to meet the bottom of the previous folds’ convergence.

Step 4 — fold top point down.

  1. Fold the entire plane in half. This creates the snub nose that gives the Bulldog Dart its name.

Step 5 — fold plane in half, in on itself.

  1. Fold the wings down to form a straight line across from the top of the snub nose. Repeat on the other side.

Step 6 — wings folded down.

Intermediate Level: The Harrier

The Harrier is a slightly more advanced paper airplane that offers improved flight performance. With a few additional folds, it strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity.

  1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise and then unfold it. As with the Bulldog Dart, this crease serves as a guide for future folds.

Step 1 — fold paper in half.

  1. Fold the top corners in to meet at the center crease.

Step 2 — fold top corners down to meet middle crease.

  1. Fold the entire top down to resemble an envelope. Leave a small space at the bottom to prevent the top point from meeting the edge evenly.

Step 3 — fold top down to resemble an envelope.

  1. Fold the top corners in to meet at the center. A small triangular tail should be formed beneath these folds.

Step 4 — fold top corners down again, towards middle crease.

  1. Fold the small triangle up to secure the previous folds in place.

Step 5 — fold up the small triangle that was left over from the previous step.

  1. Fold the plane in half, but fold it outwards. The previous triangular fold should be visible on the bottom edge.

Step 6 — fold entire airplane in half, outwards.

  1. Fold the wings down so that their edges align with the bottom edge of the airplane. Repeat on the other side.

Step 7 — fold wing down so it meets bottom edge.

The finished Harrier retains cool pointed wings and excellent stability thanks to the triangle on the bottom.

Man holding finished Harrier paper airplane.

Expert Level: The Hammer

The Hammer is the perfect balance between complexity and accessibility. Although more intricate than the previous models, it guarantees the best flight performance and distance. Pay close attention to each step, as the final result will be worth the effort.

  1. Begin by folding the top left corner down to meet the right edge of the paper. Then unfold it. This crease will guide your folds.

Step 1 — fold top left corner down.

  1. Repeat the same process with the top right corner and unfold it.

Step 2 — fold and unfold top right corner to make a crease.

  1. Fold the top right corner down so that its edge meets the diagonal crease that runs from the top left to the bottom right.

Fold top right corner down to meet diagonal crease.

  1. Perform the same fold with the left corner, ensuring that the top left point aligns perfectly with the diagonal right edge of the airplane.

Fold top left corner down to meet diagonal crease in the center.

  1. Fold the plane in half outward and then unfold it, using the middle crease as a guide.

Fold paper airplane in half, in on itself.

  1. After unfolding the previous step, fold the top down so that its edge aligns with the bottom edge.

Top half folded down to meet the bottom edge.

  1. Fold the top corners down so that their points meet at the middle crease.

Fold top corners down again so they meet the middle crease.

  1. Unfold everything, as these creases act as guides.

Half of airplane done, unfolded with creases showing.

  1. Take the previously folded top edge (Step 6) and fold it back up, aligning its edge with the creases from the previous step.

Top part folded up.

  1. Fold the corners in once again, this time aligning both the edge of the top flap and the crease from Step 7.

Fold corners in yet again to meet edge of top.

  1. Fold the wings in once more along the existing crease. This will create straight lines from the top to the bottom of the plane.

Fold the wings in again, this time so the outside edges meet.

  1. Fold the top down from where it meets the top edge of the wings.

Top folded down to meet the edges of the wings.

  1. Fold the entire plane in half outward, ensuring that all the paper flaps are on the outside. Be gentle with your folds due to the thickness of the paper.

Fold airplane in half, outwards.

  1. Fold the wings down so that their edges meet the bottom edge of the plane. This will create a small snub nose. Take your time and be precise with this fold.

Fold wings down to meet bottom edge of the plane.

Other DIY kids’ projects featured on Quill And Fox include:

  • How to Make a Wooden Sword
  • Easy, No-Sew Tepee
  • Rubber Band Gun
  • Battery Made From Quarters
  • Pencil Catapult

While you’re busy making paper airplanes with your kids, challenge them with some fun riddles. It’s a great way to pass the time. And if you want to rediscover the joys of play, listen to our podcast interview with Charlie Hoehn, author of “Play It Away: A Workaholic’s Cure For Anxiety.”

In the world of paper airplanes, the sky is the limit. So grab some paper and start folding, experimenting, and creating your own designs. Happy flying, and don’t forget to check out Quill And Fox for more exciting DIY projects and inspiration!

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