During the summer, most communities have festivals and other fun events; many of these are for kids with a learning component as well as fun. Sometimes, these activities will also support skills that help children with kindergarten readiness. Just today, I heard of a new one, a paper airplane festival that will last 3 days. In preparation, there are airplane folding workshops at the big regional airport led by aeronautical engineers. With a little help, the simple airplane that looks like a pointy dart is easy enough for older preschoolers.
Paper airplanes used to be something that most kids knew how to do, but not any more.
1. Fold an ordinary piece of printer paper in half, the long way or hotdog fold. Open it back up.
2. Fold the top outside corner down so it touches the center line and do the same for the other side.
3. Do the same action again of folding each side to the middle. It sort of looks like a skinny mountain, the kind that kids draw.
4. Fold the two sides together. Now it looks like the wedge that goes under a door to hold it open.
5. Hold the point with one hand, and with the other bend that folded edge over to line up with the center fold. This part is a bit trickier.
6. Flip over and do the same for the other side.
7. Pinch on the bottom center fold and the wings open up. The dart is ready to fly. Outside is better than in the house.
The video from YouTube below shows the steps in action. Children, and grownups as well, often need to listen to instructions. This activity definitely practices that. Sometimes, actions need to done in a very particular order or sequence. Making a paper airplane requires that.
Any decorating or drawing needs to be done before folding!! It’s hard to tell from this photo but the circles on each side are the people looking out the windows and the flight attendant is in front. The black rectangle is the aisle. While not all 4 year olds will have had an experience on a plane many will have. When children draw about something they have experienced, they are stretching their memories. there’s even some basic science about flying and wings.
Flying airplanes takes practice but kids have fun just running and chasing them no matter how far they go, especially outside in the summer weather. Can you and your child enjoy the fun and learning of making paper airplanes?