How to Make a Paper Boat that Sails

Boats are a fun project to make, and it is exciting to watch those little folded papers set sail. Most paper boats only last a little while before they absorb so much water they sink and fall apart. Follow these instructions to make a more lasting paper boat that you can sail.

Things You'll Need

• Rectangular sheet of paper
• Paraffin or old candle stubs
• Empty tin can
• Pot of water
• Paintbrush
• String or thread (optional)

Instructions

1. Take a sheet of rectangular paper. How big it should be will depend on how big you want your boat to be. For a fairly small boat, you can use a standard sheet of typing paper. For a larger boat, use a sheet of newspaper or newsprint.

2. 

   Hold the paper in front of you so it is taller than it is wider. Turn the top edge down to meet the bottom edge, folding it in half. Be sure to crease all folds sharply with your fingernail.

3. 

   Fold down the two top corners to meet. The edge of the two ends of the paper will stick out beneath them.

4. 

   Flip up the edge of the top end of the paper that is sticking out from underneath. Fold it upward so that it partially covers the "triangle" folds you made in the last step. Be sure the other edge is still there at the bottom sticking out.

5. 

   Turn the whole thing over to the opposite side. Fold down the points that are sticking out from underneath.

6. 

   Flip up the bottom edge and fold it to create a triangle. Fold down the points to the opposite side.

7. 

   Turn it over again. Slide your thumbs into the opening on the bottom. With a hold on each side in the center, pull the two bottom edges apart.

8. 

   Fold down the creases of the "diamond" shape you have just created.

9. 

   Fold the bottom point of the diamond (on the top sheet only) up to meet the top point. Turn it over.

10. Fold the bottom point of the diamond up to meet the top point.

11. Pull open the two bottom halves again, and the two side points will shift down to create another diamond.

12. Pinch the top two edges, one hand on each side, that meet at the top of the diamond. Pull them out. The "inner" point of the diamond will rise up, as the sides are pulled out to become the hull of your boat.

13. Adjust your boat by gently tugging out the sides until it stands on its own.

14. Grate or chop some paraffin (or old candle stubs) into a clean, empty tin can. Place the tin can into a pot filled with about 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer.

15. When the paraffin melts, remove it from the pot. Take a paintbrush and coat the entire bottom of your boat with a thin layer of paraffin. Don't forget to get inside the conical opening at the bottom and hold the sides apart until the paraffin dries so it won't seal them together.

16. Allow the paraffin to dry. Float your boat in the tub or a body of water. If you like, you can tie a thread or string to your boat so that you can guide it back to you.