With Tek
How to make a paper airplane that flies far
This course teaches your kid how to make a paper airplane that flies far, then test it like an engineer. Tek hosts four short films: folding the dart, why it flies, measuring each throw, and beating the record. Plan about 4 minutes of films and 30–45 minutes of folding and flying.
All 4 films and the quiz are free on this page. Your kid doesn't need an account. See every lesson
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What your kid makes
Your kid ends with a folded paper dart, a record card with every throw measured in steps, and a new record after testing one change at a time. It's a first taste of how engineers test and improve a design.
- Ages
- 6 to 13
- Time
- 4 films, about 4 minutes, then 30–45 minutes of folding and flying
- You need
- One sheet of printer paper, tape for a start line, pencil and paper for the record, paper clips (optional)
- Host
- Tek
The 4 lessons
Lesson 1. Fold the dart
Six sharp folds turn one sheet of paper into a dart.
- Fold the paper in half the long way and open it
- Fold the corners, then the new edges, to the middle line
- Fold the wings down and open them flat
Where: At home
Lesson 2. Why it flies
Air pushes up under the wings, and the heavy nose keeps the plane steady.
- Throw the plane five times
- Watch whether it dives, swoops, or glides
- Hold it under the wings and push it forward
Where: At home
Lesson 3. Test and measure
Three throws, counted in steps, show how far the plane really flies.
- Tape a start line on the floor
- Throw three times and count the steps to each landing
- Write the longest throw down as the record
Where: At home
Lesson 4. Beat your record
Changing one thing at a time shows what makes the plane fly farther.
- Change one thing, like a bent wing edge or a paper clip
- Test it three times and compare with the record
- Hold a family contest
Where: At home
Take the quiz
Tek asks 3 questions about the films. Get 2 right and you finish the course.
Lesson 1 transcript: Fold the dart
Hi, I'm Tek! Today you fold a paper airplane that flies far. All you need is one sheet of paper.
Fold the paper in half the long way. Press the crease hard. Then open it again.
Fold the two top corners down, so they meet at the middle line. Like a little roof.
Now fold the new slanted edges to the middle line again. Make it sharp.
Fold it in half on the middle line, with the flaps inside.
Fold one wing down, so its top edge meets the bottom. Flip it over. Do the other wing the same way.
Open the wings flat. Hold it under the wings, and push it forward. Whoosh!
Your turn. Fold your dart, one step at a time. Then give it a test flight, and press Next.
Free guides to practise with
Questions parents ask
What paper should we use?
Plain printer paper works well. Thick card is too heavy, and very thin paper flops. One sheet is enough for the whole course.
Is this safe to do indoors?
Yes. A hallway or a big room is enough, and the films show a taped start line on the floor. Ask your kid to throw away from faces and pets.
How long does it take?
The four films take about 4 minutes. Folding, flying, and the family contest take about 30–45 minutes.