How to Make a Folded Paper Boat

Paper boats are a craft activity for both children and adults.

Paper boats are craft projects that teach children skills such as learning to fold paper, following directions and staying on task. Boats that are folded correctly float on water. Have the child put the boat in water once the craft is complete, and watch his excitement when the boat floats. Talk about different types of boats and what it would be like to ride in a real boat. This helps get his imagination flowing and teaches him about the world of boating.

Things You'll Need

• 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheet of white paper
• Pencil
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Place the white piece of paper in front of you on a flat surface to fold the boat and make creases in the paper.

2. Place one hand under the paper and fold the paper in half width-wise, making the paper 5 1/2 inches wide and 8 1/2 inches long.

3. Place your hand under the paper again, and fold the rectangle in half length-wise. Now the paper is about 5 1/2 inches high and 4 1/4 inches wide. Apply your finger to the fold and press down hard on the crease. Open the fold once it is nicely creased.

4. Arrange the paper so the open fold is at the top. Measure down the center crease to 4 1/4 inches with a ruler. Use a pencil to mark the spot and label it with the letter "A."

5. Turn the paper over and write down the letter "B" on the left top corner and the letter "C" on the top right corner. Turn the paper back over to the first side that has an "A" on it.

6. With your hand under the paper, fold down the upper left corner so the "C" point meets the letter "A." Press the crease until it stays in the paper. Fold the paper over so the "B" point in the upper right hand corner also meets the letter "A." Use your finger to make a crease in the paper.

7. Fold a 1 1/4-inch cuff from the bottom upper layer of the folded paper and press a crease in the paper. Fold the right edge of the paper cuff, then the left edge of the paper cuff to create a triangle shape. Turn the paper boat over and do the same on the other side.

8. Hold the square so your cuff is at the bottom and the folded point is at the top. The square will look like a fat diamond.

9. Create the same cuffed point on the top of the paper as on the bottom of the paper. Both the bottom and the top sides of the boat should match. Press the folds hard to make the crease stay.

10. Place your thumb between the layers of the bottom of the folded paper. Hold the front center part of the boat between your thumb and forefinger and pull the sides apart. This allows the right and left edges to meet.

11. Hold the diamond shape in your hand so the open part of the diamond is at the bottom. Lift each side of the top point and pull them away from each other. The bottom point will pull up, creating the center of the boat. Use your fingers to pull out the sides of the boat, and the center will look like a sail.

Resources

• University of Texas, College of Liberal ARts: Paper Boat