How to Make a Paper Airplane for Cub Scouts

Learn how to make a paper airplane for the Wolf Cub Scout elective adventure, Air of the Wolf. These fun activities could be done at a pack meeting too.

In this adventure, the kids learn about propulsion by making paper airplanes, model boats, and self-powered cars.

Today, we're going to focus on airplanes. I'm sure all of us have wondered how those huge airplanes can stay in the air. I know I have! ?

Bernoulli's Principle Demonstration

That can all be explained by something called Bernoulli's principle which says that as air moves around an object, it creates different amounts of pressure on that object.

Faster air means less pressure. Slower air means more pressure. When there's more pressure underneath the object than on top of it, the object rises.

To show this, cut a piece of paper into 1″ strips so that each child can have one. Demonstrate holding the paper right below the edge of your bottom lip, then ask them what they think will happen if you blow out a big breath.  It'll be interesting to hear what answers you get.

Next, give a strip to each child, and have them hold it right below their bottom lip and blow out. Ask if they're surprised by what happens.

This is the same principle that keeps an airplane in the air!

Notes:
1. I recommend using a 1″ strip of paper rather than an entire piece of paper because the strip will move more rapidly. It's also a bit easier to move the strip than the entire piece. You could try it with both as you're preparing for the den meeting.

2. The reason I recommend asking them what will happen before you give them the paper is to keep that inquisitive kiddo from blowing before anyone has answered!

Paper Airplanes & the Scientific Method

If your pack offers the Cub Scout Super Nova award program, it makes sense to use the scientific method because it will satisfy one of the Super Nova requirements. I found this document that shows you specifically how to do this.

Cub Scout Super Nova Requirement 8: Learn about the scientific method (or scientific process). Discuss this with your mentor, and include a simple demonstration to show what you learned.

Types of Paper Airplanes

Here are some paper airplane activity options:

A. Create and fly three different types of paper airplanes. Before launching them, record which one you believe will travel the farthest and what property of the plane leads you to make that prediction.

B. Make a paper airplane catapult. Before launching a plane, record how far you believe it will travel and explain what information you used to make this prediction. After you make your prediction, launch the plane and measure how far it flies.

The Wolf handbook gives instructions for making three types of paper airplanes: the arrow, the delta, and the dart.

But a simple Google search shows you that there are many other types. I found three resources that I think are particularly good.

Fold ‘N Fly – Fold ‘N Fly has 40 different models ranging from those that fly a long distance or stay aloft for a long time to those that are decorative or acrobatic.

The site tells you how difficult the plane is to make and whether or not you'll need to cut the paper using scissors. The site also has an instructional video for each type.

Amazing Paper Airplanes – Amazing Paper Airplanes is the website of Kyong H. Lee, who authored the book, Amazing Paper Airplanes: The Craft and Science of Flight. This site has some awesomely cool plane designs from the World War II Wildcat Fighter to the F-16 Falcon fighter jet to the B-1 Lancer bomber plane. These are some serious paper airplanes!

Paper Airplanes HQ – Paper Airplanes HQ has a wide variety of airplane styles. In fact, they show us 5 versions of dart-style planes and 5 versions of delta-style planes. There are detailed instructions with animated videos.

But the thing I like the best is that the site tells you how to throw each style of airplane. Scroll to the bottom of the instruction page, and you'll see a section called “The Throw.”

Flying Your Paper Airplane

After you've made your paper airplanes, you need to predict which one will fly the farthest and why. I created a handout that you can use to record your predictions. Simply enter your email below to download it.

Get the Predictions Tracking Page!

Enter your email to get your printable Motor Away Paper Airplane Predictions Tracking Sheet!

If you don't get an email within 10 minutes, check your spam folder. If it isn't there, let me know at [email protected].

Send me the printable!

If you're doing this part indoors, consider making a runway or landing strip with painter's tape like this one.

Whether you're inside or out, be sure you have a measuring tape so the Scouts will know how far their airplanes flew.

Now, let the airplanes fly!

Completing Air of the Wolf Requirement 1A

The Air of the Wolf adventure also has a paper airplane requirement. You can easily complete it while you're working on Motor Away.

Wolf Elective Adventure Air of the Wolf Requirement 1A: Make a paper airplane and fly it five times. Try to make it fly farther by altering its shape. Fly it at least five more times to see if your changes were effective.

All the Wolves need to do for this requirement is to pick one of their airplanes and fly it five times, recording how far it went.

Next, the Wolf should make a change to the shape of their airplane that might make it go faster. Fly the airplane another five times to see if your airplane does go farther.

That's all you need to do to check off this requirement!

Paper Airplane Catapult

Your Cub Scouts can also try making a paper airplane catapult. They can predict how far they think their airplane will go using this catapult and why. After they make their prediction, launch the plane and measure how far it flies.

Simply punch a hole in the underside of your paper airplane with a hole punch and thread a rubber band through the hole.

Put the rubber band over your thumb, pull back on the plane, and let go!

Want a more advanced paper airplane catapult? Grab these things:

• 3″ or 3 1/2″ Rubber Band 
• Paper Clip (the small ones work fine)
• Hole Punch
• Piece of scrap wood (My Home Depot has given us scrap wood. Check with the one in your area.)
• Two nails
• Hammer

Drive the nails into one end of the wood, about 3″ apart. Put the rubber band over the nails.

Set your wood on a small table or something. I used the trunk my son takes to summer camp.

Note: This trunk is PERFECT for summer camp. It fits right under the cots that are at my council's camp, Boxwell Reservation.

Use something to prop up the side of the wood where the nails are.

Punch a hole in the underside of your plane like you did earlier. Open the paper clip like this, and twist it a bit.

Put the paper clip through the hole, then hook the other end of the paper clip over the rubber band.

Pull your plane back, let it go, and watch how far it will fly!

Other Paper Airplane Activities

When I was researching this article, I found so many fun paper airplane activities. Here are a few that I really loved!

Giant Paper Airplanes – Made out of posterboard, these would be great for younger siblings.

Airplane Cargo Challenge – This is a great STEM activity! See how much cargo you can add to your plane and still make it fly. Just grab a handful of coins and a lot of tape for this activity.

Airplane Golf – Can the kids get their airplanes to land “in the hole?”

Airplane Games and Contests – This one has some great suggestions!

Ultimate Paper Airplane Competition – This competition would be awesome for a pack meeting! There are four rounds, and I absolutely LOVE the clever names that Michael, the author of The Thinker Builder, came up with.

• The “Aim-for-the-bullseye,-Mabel!” Target Round
• The: The “We're-Goin'-Down,-Fred!” Hang-Time Round
• The “Keep-it-on-the-road,-Hank!” Accuracy Round
• The “Gimme-all-‘ya-got,-Berta!” Distance Round

Michael created forms (the score sheet, the round explanations, and competition overview) for the competition, and he'll give them to you free when you sign up for his email newsletter.

I hope you have a great time making and flying your paper airplane! Doing these activities fulfills the first requirement for the Motor Away elective adventure for Wolves.

Leave a comment to let me know what other fun paper airplane activities you've done.

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. Sign up below for more great Cub Scout ideas!