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Plane Launcher

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Have you tried throwing a paper plane using just your wrist? If you have, you'll know it's quite difficult. If you only have a short distance to launch your paper plane, how can you make it fly further? Try this activity to find out!

Materials Needed

Paper
Rubber bands
Cardboard (two pieces 15cm x 5cm, one piece 12cm x 20cm, one piece 12cm x 3cm)
Ruler
Pencil
Craft knife
Scissors
Paint palette
Paint
Paintbrushes
Rubber bands

An overhead, flat lay view displays various craft supplies arranged on a light wood-grain surface. The supplies include: a sheet of red paper or cardstock, pieces of brown cardboard, a utility knife with a red handle, a pair of black scissors, a white flower-shaped paint palette, a clear plastic ruler, a blue paintbrush, a blue pencil, two small tubes of white glue or paint, and a yellow rubber band. The arrangement suggests preparation for a craft or art project.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

First, let's make a javelin paper plane. Start by folding a square piece of paper in half to create a guideline.

A rectangular piece of red paper or cardstock is folded in half, creating a vertical crease down the middle. It lies open, book-style, against a light wood-grain background. The image likely depicts a step in an origami or paper craft project.

Step 2

Take the bottom two corners and fold them to the guideline.

A piece of red paper or cardstock is folded into a triangular shape against a light wood-grain background. The paper has been folded in half horizontally and then the bottom corners have been folded inwards to meet at the center crease, creating the triangle. This image likely demonstrates a step in an origami or paper craft project.

Step 3

Based on the previous step, fold again.

A red paper airplane, viewed from above, is centered on a light wood-grain background. The plane is simple, made from a single sheet of folded paper or cardstock. It has a pointed nose and swept-back wings. This image likely shows a stage in a paper airplane crafting process or origami.

Step 4

Fold once more - remember, you need to fold the two corners three times in total.

A nearly-completed red paper airplane, viewed from above, sits on a light wood-grain background. The plane's body is more elongated and narrower than in previous stages, and the wings are folded down, giving it a streamlined appearance. This image likely shows a later step in the process of making a paper airplane.

Step 5

Fold the plane along the guideline once.

Two hands are shown manipulating a long, thin, red piece of folded paper or cardstock against a light wood-grain background. The paper resembles a flattened, elongated cone or wedge. The hands appear to be shaping or folding the paper, likely as part of a craft or origami project.

Step 6

Use scissors to make a diagonal cut in the middle of the open edge of the plane.

A pair of hands is using scissors to cut a long, thin, red piece of folded paper against a light wood-grained background. The paper is similar in shape to the one from the previous image, resembling a flattened, elongated cone. The scissors are cutting at an angle along the paper, likely to create a specific shape for a craft or origami project. A black line is drawn on the image, indicating the cutting line.

Step 7

Fold the back half of the cut paper plane towards the middle.

Two hands fold a red piece of paper on a light wood-grain background. The paper, which has been cut and folded into the shape of an airplane's fuselage and wings, is being held horizontally. The hands are in the process of making a small fold or adjustment near the tail section of the plane. This image likely demonstrates a step in constructing a paper airplane.

Step 8

Lay the folded paper plane flat and apply double-sided tape in the middle.

Step 9

Remove the tape backing and refold the plane, pressing firmly to secure it.

A small, angular piece of red paper, resembling a stylized arrowhead or a shard, lies on a light wood-grain background. It appears to be a scrap or offcut, possibly from a previous crafting step.

Step 10

Now let's make the plane launcher. The first method uses your hands: place a rubber band around your middle and index fingers, spread your fingers apart, position the plane, pull back the rubber band and release to launch.

Hands are shown using a red paper airplane as a makeshift slingshot against a light wood-grain background. A yellow rubber band is stretched between the thumb and index finger of one hand, hooked around a notch cut into the paper airplane. The other hand holds the body of the plane. It appears that the rubber band is being used to launch the small, separate red paper projectile seen resting on the plane. This image depicts a simple, homemade toy or game.

Step 11

The second method uses cardboard pieces (two pieces 15cm x 5cm, one piece 12cm x 20cm, one piece 12cm x 3cm). Paint them in your favourite colours.

Two hands are painting a piece of cardboard white with a paintbrush on a light wood-grain background. One hand holds the rectangular piece of cardboard while the other hand applies the white paint, covering approximately half of the cardboard's surface. Three additional, smaller pieces of unpainted cardboard are visible to the upper right, suggesting they are also part of the project. This image likely depicts a stage in a crafting or DIY project.

Step 12

Take the 12cm x 20cm cardboard piece. Measure 2 cm from each wide end and mark. Draw vertical lines 1cm inward from these marks.

A rectangular piece of light blue painted cardboard sits on a light wood-grain background. Lines and labels indicate measurements: 2cm along the shorter side and 1cm along the longer side, suggesting a small piece of cardboard. The paint appears slightly uneven, indicating a hand-painted finish. This image likely shows a prepared piece for a craft or DIY project.

Step 13

Carefully cut along the marked lines with scissors.

Two hands are shown cutting a piece of light blue painted cardboard with scissors on a light wood-grain background. One hand holds the rectangular cardboard piece while the other hand operates the scissors, beginning to make a cut along one of the shorter edges. This image likely depicts a step in a crafting or DIY process.

Step 14

Take the two 15cm x 5cm cardboard pieces. Mark at 2.5cm on the width. Draw a vertical guide line 13cm long upward, then cut along the marked line with the craft knife.

A long, thin strip of light-colored cardboard or wood lies on a light wood-grain background. Lines and labels indicate its dimensions: 13cm along the length and 2.5cm along the width at both ends. This image likely shows a piece prepared for a craft or construction project.

Step 15

Mark 2 cm from the left side on both long edges, and use the craft knife to cut vertical slits 1 cm deep at these marks.

A small, light-colored piece of cardboard or wood, partially cut, is placed on a light wood-grain background. The piece has a narrow slit cut almost all the way through, dividing it into two thin sections. Lines and labels indicate measurements: 2cm along the bottom edge and 1cm for the width of the uncut portion. This image likely illustrates a step in a craft or model-making project.

Step 16

Insert the 13cm cut edges of these two pieces into the slots of the piece from step 12, and secure a rubber band between the slots of the smaller pieces.

Two hands are assembling a small structure made of light blue painted cardboard and thin, unpainted cardboard strips against a light wood-grain background. A yellow rubber band is stretched between the two upright cardboard strips, which are attached to the blue base. One hand holds the base while the other hand adjusts one of the cardboard strips, suggesting the process of building a small catapult or similar device.

Step 17

Turn the launcher over and insert the 12cm x 3cm piece into the slots of the two 15cm x 15cm pieces.

A small catapult or similar device, constructed from cardboard, is displayed on a light wood-grain background. The base of the device is a piece of cardboard decorated with a repeating pattern of coffee-related images, including coffee beans, croissants, cinnamon sticks, and coffee pots. Two thin, unpainted cardboard strips are attached to the base and angled upwards, connected at the top by a small strip of the same cardboard. This image likely showcases a finished DIY project, possibly a toy or a decorative item.

Step 18

Turn it over - your plane launcher is complete! Now grab your javelin plane and test their combined power!

A small airplane or glider, crafted from various pieces of cardboard, sits on a light wood-grain surface. The fuselage appears to be made of plain, light-colored cardboard, while the wings are constructed from different types of cardboard: one is light grey or blue, and the other has a printed design. A bright red piece of cardboard, likely representing the tail fin, extends prominently from the rear. Yellow rubber bands are visible, likely used to hold parts of the plane together. This image showcases a completed DIY project, possibly a toy airplane.

The Science Behind It:

For takeoff, planes need sufficient lift - an upward force created by air pushing against the plane to overcome gravity (downward force). The faster a plane moves, the more lift it generates. This is why airport runways are typically long - planes need enough space to accelerate to takeoff speed.

This explains why it's difficult to throw a paper plane far using just your wrist - the range of motion is much smaller than using your entire arm. Rubber bands can store significant energy when stretched and release it quickly, even over short distances. Therefore, a rubber band launcher can help paper planes fly further from a shorter starting distance.

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