Get kids using critical thinking with paper airplanes. Develop fine motor and problem solving skills while building a paper airplane and launcher!

Supplies

• printer paper
• markers
• hot glue gun
• hot glue sticks
• paper clips
• rubber bands
• craft sticks
• PDF Printable Targets

Set-Up Paper Airplane Launcher

•If you do not know how to make a paper airplane, learn how to make the basic dart.  (watch the video above for a quick how to)
•Print the target PDF, cut out the targets and place them along one wall in the playing space.
•Create a sample plane and launcher. Keep reading for instructions.

Create the plane

Walk the kids through the steps of creating a traditional dart paper airplane.  Some children will already know how to make the plane, in this case have those children help others who are struggling.

After everyone has a completed airplane, put out markers and have them decorate them (this way you can tell what plane belongs to which child). As the children are decorating call them up one at a time to insert the paper clip hook into the plane.

To insert the hook, first cut a tiny hole in the plane’s bottom about an inch from the nose. Unfold the paperclip slightly and push the end through the hole.  Place a glob of hot glue along the inside the plane to hold the paperclip in place. Squeeze the hot glue between the paper. The plane is now ready for liftoff.

​Create the Paper Airplane launcher

Loop two rubber bands together and pull, creating a knot. Then wrap one of the rubber band loops around a craft stick until it secure and tight.

The Game

Create a launch pad, an area that the launcher must stand in when launching their plane. (I used a poly spot). Then split the kids into 2-3 groups or teams. Have teams take turns launching their planes and trying to hit a target.  Keep track of points, or don’t, either way the kids enjoy this game.

A Few rules for safe and respectful play

• Any player who is not launching needs to sit behind or to the side of the launch pad as to not interfere with the launch.
• Every person on a team must launch before any player goes a second time
• When a plane does not launch or there is a mis-launch, they will get one redo.  If the launch fails again, the team will take a 0 for the launch and it will then be the next teams turn.
• If there is disagreement as to if a plane hit a target, you as the administrator of this activity will have the final call.
• Teams may change their planes as needed throughout the game as long as it does not delay the game.
• If you are keeping score, the first team to 1000 wins.