Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make a Paper Boat

Make your own origami paper boats.

Using the Japanese techniques of paper folding, known as origami, you can make a paper boat in a few short steps. It's a great activity for kids and adults. Kids can make their own boats using just one piece of rectangular paper, and the boats will even float in the water. While there are many paper boat models to choose from, start with the classic origami boat.

Things You'll Need

• Piece of rectangular paper

Instructions

1. Lay the piece of paper vertically on a flat surface. If the paper has one colored side, face the paper colored-side up.

2. Fold the paper in half from left edge to right edge, forming a vertical center crease. Crease and unfold.

3. Fold the paper in half from top edge to bottom edge. Crease well.

4. Fold the top two corners of the paper down to meet the center crease. The resulting shape is two triangles with a thin strip below.

5. Fold the top layer of the bottom strip upwards along the edge of the triangles. Do the same on the other side, folding the bottom layer to the back.

6. Open the sides of the model and flatten, using the existing center crease. You now have a square shape. If the flaps you just folded are sticking up, you can fold one of the strips under the other.

7. Fold the top layer upwards, so the bottom corner meets the top corner. Do the same on the other side. Now you have a multilayered triangle shape.

8. Open the sides of the model at the bottom of the triangle. Flatten along the center crease, forming another small square.

9. Pull apart the layers at the top corner.

10. Flatten each side outwards, forming a trapezoid shape on each side. Crease all the folds, and open the model slightly.

References

• Origami Fun: Origami Boat Instructions