Paper Airplanes “Folds and Gravity” (Ages 3-8)
Throw a flimsy piece of paper. Nothing happens, right? It probably didn’t get much farther than your feet. Roll it up into a ball and do the same thing. It goes a few feet farther, but so what? Now, make a few strategic folds with it and let it fly. Bank to the left, dive, level out, smooth landing! It could have glided over 1 1/4 miles, which, if it did, would be the new outdoor paper airplane distance record.
Wow! Paper, a few folds, and gravity, and you’re in for an afternoon of aviation fun. Here are a few ideas to enhance your flights of fancy:
- CONSTRUCT: Draw the lines where you want the folds to go. This process enables your child the pleasure of making the three-dimensional plane.
- ART: Almost as much fun as flying it, is coloring it. Your child will need no help here. Pilots, windows, markings, engines, flames, wheels, his or her name, and more. (When flying is over, make a mobile and hang it in your child’s room.)
- CONTESTS: Go for distance off the raised patio deck, or from the ground. Mark the spot with chalk, and see if the distance can be bettered. Fly the plane through a hoop or a tire. Try to land it within a large circle, or in a wastepaper basket. Get the neighborhood kids to compete.
- EXPERIMENT: Try different aerodynamic designs. Some work better than others. Teach your child the concept that the more time and effort put into a task, the better the chances are to succeed.
- MAKE-BELIEVE: Your child can play “airport,” and draw runways, terminals, and the control tower with chalk. He or she can be pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, or passengers. Your child can have fighter aircraft go on missions, track down the enemy, get into dogfights, and take care of the enemy. For a special effect, YOU can set one on fire, and have it “crash and burn.” Then play “rescue,” with your child by being a firefighter, policemen, or nurse. Fly to Grandma’s house to visit her.
- EXERCISE: You crafted aircraft, and not boomerangs. Therefore, your child will be good and tired after chasing them down all day, and will be in bed early.
Nevertheless, don’t expect to pick up that novel you’re trying to finish after your child goes to bed. Instead, you’ll be creasing paper, getting ready for the next day’s flights.
Rex Bowlby is the father of two boys. He is the author of the book, Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your Wallet*) *For parents with children ages 3-8. He lives in Los Angeles, California, USA.