How to Make a Paper Boat That Holds Weight

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Things You'll Need

  • Construction paper

  • Cardboard

  • Newspaper

  • 10 pennies or dimes

  • Glue or clear nail polish

Paper boats can be a fun craft project for kids. Children can create paper boats that can actually hold weight and race their boats. Because traditional large boats hold plenty of weight, it only makes sense that the paper boats you create should hold weight too.

Step 1

Cut a few pieces of newspaper to 8 1/2-by-11 inch dimensions. You'll also need cardboard this size. Glue two to three layers of newspaper to the cardboard and let it sit until it dries. This will give your boat a strong backing and more support to hold its weight. It will also prevent it from getting waterlogged quickly.

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Step 2

Fold your paper in half longways after it's dried. Turn your paper 90 degrees and fold it again. Unfold the second fold, so you can see the second crease.

Step 3

Fold both corners down into triangles, making sure to line up the edges of the triangles with the crease. You'll have a paper with an extra bottom on it, and the bottom will have two flaps. Fold the first flap upwards. Turn the paper over and repeat with the other flap.

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Step 4

Turn the boat 90 degrees and open it so that you can see inside it. Fold your boat in half, so that the upper and lower corners meet. You'll have two triangles now. Fold the triangles so that their ends meet.

Step 5

Turn the paper over and fold up the triangle. You'll get the same thing you got in Step 3, only without the flaps. Open it again so that you can see inside it and fold the upper and lower triangles in half again.

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Step 6

Take the corners of the paper in your fingers and pull them apart. You'll see the middle of the boat rising in the middle of the paper. Pull it apart as far as you can to achieve a boat that holds better and floats better.

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