How to Make a Boat Out of Paper

Simple summer pastimes can create lasting memories. The long, carefree summer hours are a wonderful opportunity for fun activities that don't cost much but are rich in shared smiles and laughter. Make these silly paper floaty boats and set them sailing in a puddle, pool, pond or even the bath tub, imagining tiny passengers bound for adventure on a sunny summer day.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 8 1/2 x11-inch piece of paper, white or colored
• Crayons or colored pencils and stickers

1. 

   Fold the paper from top edge to bottom edge (short side to short side) and crease.

2. 

   Take the top left corner and fold it down to the center of the paper.

3. 

   Turn the paper over and fold the top left corner in the same way.

4. Fold the bottom strip on both sides up and crease, tucking the ends in so they don't stick up. This makes a folded triangle.

5. 

   Pull outward from the middle of the open end of the triangle and flatten, creasing the folds. This makes a folded square.

6. Hold the square with the open side down, fold the pointed tip up, and crease it.

7. Turn the square over and fold the other pointed tip up and crease it. This makes another, smaller folded triangle.

8. Pull outward from the middle of the open end and flatten, creasing the folds, for another folded, smaller square.

9. 

   Pull the two upper tips out all the way, flatten, and crease all folds. This makes a flat boat shape.

10. 

    Turn the boat shape upside down and pull the sides open a little to make a base. This makes a boat with a little sail.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorate paper boats with illustrations, the boat's name, stickers, small leaves or feathers--anything handy that catches the imagination. Make several boats and have a race. Make a funeral boat for all your worries and cares and float them away on the breeze.

References

• Origami Boats
• Paper Folding