How to Build a Paper Boat Out of Card Stock
Paper boats are second only to paper airplanes when it comes to folded toy vehicles a child can make and play with. While folding a paper boat takes a little extra skill and patience than folding a paper airplane, the joys of seeing paper bob and float make the the effort worthwhile. Using a thicker paper grade such as construction paper or card stock helps the paper boat avoid absorbing water, thus making it seaworthy for a longer amount of time.
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Instructions
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Place the paper vertically in front of you and fold the top half down to the bottom.
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Fold the paper in half lengthwise, then unfold. This creates a center crease.
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Fold the top left and top right corners down to the center line.
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Fold the top layer of the bottom up so that it creases at the base of the triangle. Fold the corners of this strip over the triangle so that it matches the shape of the triangle.
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Flip the paper over and fold the other layer of the bottom up to the base of the triangle. Do not fold its corners over as you did with the previous layer. The shape of the paper should resemble a triangular hat.
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Pick up the hat and hold it point-down, then open it up all the way to create a flat diamond shape.
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Fold the top layer of the bottom half up so that its tip touches the top of the diamond.
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Flip the paper over and fold up the other layer so its tip also touches the top. You should now have a simple triangle.
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Pick up the hat and hold it point-down, then open it up all the way once again to create another flat diamond shape, this time with a line running down the middle.
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Grab the top tips of the two triangle halves that make up the diamond, and pull outward. The boat will unfold into a shape with two tips at either end and a triangular "mast" in the middle.
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Widen the boat shape slightly by pressing out on the inside from the top. This gives the boat its base to float upon. You're now ready to set sail.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use card stock that is too thick, or the creases will weaken the paper too much and you may get tearing.
References
- Photo Credit Dynamic Graphics/Creatas/Getty Images
