How to Make Paper Pirate Boats
If your child goes wild over pirates, decorate his room with pirate decorations such as paper pirate boats. Another way to indulge his interest in the seagoing scallawags is to give him a pirate-themed birthday party. Use paper pirate boats to serve hot dogs, candy or other treats to the guests. Folding a pirate boat out of a sheet of paper takes practically no time at all, and your child will love you for making him one. An even better idea is to teach him how to fold one himself, or use the craft project as entertainment at the pirate party.
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Instructions
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Start with a rectangle of paper approximately 8 ½ by 11 inches. The size can vary, and it can even be square. However, if you use construction paper or another precut type, you do not have to cut it to a certain size or shape.
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Place the paper horizontally in front of you on a table. Fold it in half by folding the top edge down to the bottom edge and crease. Pick up the top layer of the bottom edge and fold it back to meet the top, folded edge. Flip the model over and fold the other layer up to the top, folded edge. Now the paper is a long, thin rectangle. If you were to open it, it would form a long M shape, but do not open it.
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Turn the paper so the rectangle is horizontal and the folded edges are at the top. Pick up one layer of the lower-left corner and fold it so that the short left side lines up with the top folded edge and forms a triangular flap. Repeat for the lower-right corner.
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Fold the folded edge of the left triangular flap up so it aligns with the top folded edge of the rectangle. Repeat for the right triangular flap. Now the top layer of the rectangle forms a large triangle with a point opposite the top folded edge. Fold the triangular top layer up so the point meets the folded top edge.
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Flip the model over and repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the other side.
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Hold the model so the points of the flaps are facing up. The three middle folded edges will also be facing up. Grab the left point and left folded edge with your left thumb and forefinger. Grab the right point and right folded edge with your right thumb and forefinger. Gently pull each side of the boat in opposite directions to flatten the folds. At the same time, use your other fingers to push up from the bottom of the model. Also at the same time, turn the sides of the boat downward so that the points end up inside the boat. When you are finished, the boat is upside down.
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Cut a small rectangle of white paper about 2 by 3 inches for the pirate flag. Draw a jolly roger skull and crossbones on both sides of the rectangle. Poke a toothpick through the bottom left corner of the flag and again through the top-left corner. Wedge the other end of the toothpick between the layers of the sides to make it stand up.
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Tips & Warnings
If you use the paper pirate boat to serve food, use paper that is food safe.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
