Make a paper aeroplane catapult
This paper aeroplane catapult is amazing! Not only does it make paper aeroplanes fly really far and really fast, but it also still works on paper aeroplanes that have their noses all squashed and bent - game changer!
What you will need:
A4 paper (scrap paper is ideal!)
Hole punch
Elastic band
Pencil or sturdy stick
What you need to do:
The first thing you need to do is make your paper aeroplane! There are lots of ways to make an aeroplane but this one is sleek and great for fast flying!
1. First fold your A4 paper in half lengthways and run your finger along the fold to make a sharp crease.
2. Open up the paper and then fold one of the top corners towards the crease to form a triangle, again making sure that you press along to fold. Do the same on the other side so the top of your paper forms a point.
3. Fold the new top edges into the centre crease to form a long triangle.
4. Turn the paper over and then fold each outside edge into the centre crease once more.
5. Fold in half along the centre crease and then open out the wings. Decorate your aeroplane if you wish!
6. Now you’ve made your paper aeroplane, make a hole with your hole punch near the nose of the plane.
7. Thread your elastic band through the hole and push one end through the loop of the other end and tighten.
8. To launch your paper aeroplane, hook the elastic band onto the top of the pencil, then pull back and release!
Tip: We found that hooking the elastic band around the pencil rubber and the ridged metal stopped the elastic band sliding down the pencil. If you don’t have a pencil with a rubber, you could wrap another elastic band near the top of the pencil as a stopper. You could also try using a stick or even your finger instead of a pencil.
We had so much fun flying these paper aeroplanes! Be prepared that you’ll need quite a big space to launch them in as they really do go far! (Also be prepared to spend a fair bit of time throwing sticks and shoes at tree branches when the aeroplanes find their way into treetops!)
If you enjoy this activity, you could try making different styles of paper aeroplane and see how they compare - which flies the furthest? You can try loading your aeroplane with cargo, make a really BIG Aeroplane or see how small you can make one!
Author: Denise Hope, home educating mum of two boys