With Tek
How to make a paper airplane launcher
To make a paper airplane launcher, tape a rubber band to the end of a ruler with a loop sticking out, slide a paper clip onto the plane's bottom fold near the nose as a hook, then hook the band on, pull the plane back, and let go. In this course your kid builds that launcher with a grown-up, learns the launcher rule, runs a fair test of hand throws against launches, and tunes the pull, the angle, and the hook one change at a time. Tek hosts four short films for kids 6 to 13, and your kid ends with a working ruler launcher and two written lists that show which way flies farther. Plan about 4 minutes of films and 30–45 minutes of building and launching. On Kubrio, your kid watches Tek's films on this page, with no account, and builds the launcher at home with a ruler, a rubber band, tape, and a paper clip.
All 4 lessons and the quiz are free on this page. Your kid doesn't need an account. See every lesson
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▶ 1:45 tourWhat your kid makes
Your kid ends with a working ruler launcher, a hook on their paper plane, and two written lists from a fair test of hand throws against launches. Along the way they tune the pull, the angle, and the hook one change at a time, the same way engineers improve a design.
- Ages
- 6 to 13
- Time
- 4 films, about 4 minutes, then 30–45 minutes of building and launching
- You need
- A folded paper airplane, a ruler, a rubber band and tape, a paper clip, pencil and paper for the test lists
- Host
- Tek
The 4 lessons
Lesson 1. Build the launcher
A ruler, a rubber band, and a paper clip make a launcher: the ruler is the track, the band is the motor, and the clip is the hook.
- With a grown-up, tape the rubber band to the end of the ruler
- Leave a loop sticking out past the end
- Slide a paper clip onto the plane's bottom fold, near the nose
Where: At home
Lesson 2. Hook and launch
The band pulls hard and fast, so the plane flies far, and the ruler points it the same way every time, so it flies straight.
- Point the launcher away from faces and people
- Hook the band onto the clip and pull the tail back
- Keep the ruler level and let go
Where: At home
Lesson 3. Hand or launcher?
A fair test keeps the plane and the start line the same and changes only the throw, so the two lists show which way flies farther and straighter.
- Tape a start line and a long aim line
- Throw three times by hand, then launch three times
- Count the steps and write both lists
Where: At home
Lesson 4. Tune it up
Changing the pull, the angle, or where the clip sits, one at a time, shows what makes the launch go farther.
- Change one thing: the pull, the angle, or the hook
- Launch three times after each change
- Hold a launch challenge onto a cushion
Where: At home
Take the quiz
Tek asks 3 questions about the films. Get 2 right and you finish the course.
Transcript
Lesson 1: Build the launcher
Hi, I'm Tek! Today you build a launcher. It sends your paper plane farther and straighter than a throw.
You need one paper plane. No plane yet? Fold one first, then come back!
Now get a ruler, a rubber band, some tape, and a paper clip.
Ask a grown-up to help with the rubber band. Lay it on the end of the ruler, with a loop sticking out past the end. Tape it down tight.
Now make a hook. Slide the paper clip onto the bottom fold of your plane, near the nose.
That's your launcher! The ruler is the track. The band is the motor. The clip is the hook.
Your turn. With a grown-up, tape the band to the ruler. Clip the hook on your plane. Then press Next.
Lesson 2: Hook and launch
First, the launcher rule. Always point it away from faces and people. Launch into an empty space.
Hold the ruler flat, with the band at the front. Rest your plane on top, nose forward.
Hook the rubber band onto the paper clip. Then pinch the tail, and pull the plane back along the ruler.
Keep the ruler level. Let go of the tail. Zoom!
Why does it fly so far? The band pulls hard and fast. A fast start makes a long flight.
And why so straight? The ruler points the plane the same way, every single time.
Your turn. Point it away from people. Hook, pull back, and let go. Do three launches. Then press Next.
Lesson 3: Hand or launcher?
Is your launcher really better than your hand? Let's test it, fair and square!
A fair test keeps everything the same. Same plane. Same start line. Only the throw changes.
Tape a start line on the floor. Then tape a long aim line, straight ahead.
Throw by hand three times. Count your steps to the plane. Is it near the aim line, or way off to the side?
Now use the launcher three times. Count your steps again.
Write two lists. Hand: nine, eleven, ten. Launcher: fifteen, seventeen, sixteen. This time, the launcher won!
Your turn. Three throws, three launches. Write both lists, and see which one wins. Then press Next.
Lesson 4: Tune it up
Last lesson! Let's tune your launcher, and beat your best launch.
Here's the rule. Change one thing at a time. Then launch three times, and count.
Try the pull. A short pull, a middle pull, or a long pull. Which one flies best?
Try the angle. Hold the ruler flat, or tip the front up just a little. Too steep, and it climbs, then drops.
Try the hook. Slide the paper clip a little forward, or a little back. Then test again.
Then hold a launch challenge! Put a cushion on the floor as a landing pad. Who can land closest?
Your turn. Change one thing, test it, and find your best launch. You made a plane launcher!
Free guides to practise with
Questions parents ask
Is a rubber band launcher safe for kids?
Yes, with two habits from the films. A grown-up helps tape the rubber band on, and the launcher always points away from faces and people, into an empty space. Paper planes are light, and a hallway or a big room is enough.
What if the rubber band slips off the plane?
Slide the paper clip a little forward or back on the plane's bottom fold, and hook the band onto the clip again. Lesson 4 tests where the clip sits, so a slipping hook turns into one more thing to tune.
Does my kid need an app or an account for this?
No. The films play on this page, and the whole course happens at home with a paper plane, a ruler, a rubber band, tape, and a paper clip. No plane yet? The paper airplane course shows how to fold one that flies far.