DIY Projects & Crafts Paper Crafts How to Make a Paper Airplane (That Actually Flies and Does Tricks) It is excellent for indoor flying when you don't have a lot of space, and it can make tight turns to avoid obstacles with ease. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 2, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Ilyssa Minkus In a time where devices dominate, there's nothing like the timeless pleasure of a paper airplane. It allows you to tinker and experience the joy of wonder: How far will it go? Do you need to fold the wings differently next time? Long after the handheld gaming devices and tablets have lost appeal, we will still be flying paper airplanes; it's the type of nostalgic craft that our inner-child loves—and one that you can easily make from home. Paper airplanes are excellent indoor playthings that can take any shape you like—from supersonic jets to old-fashioned propeller planes. The fliers pictured here are designed to do all kinds of tricks. Tinker with how they are folded to get them soaring: If the plane dives, bend the backs of the wings up slightly to slow it down. Bend the plane's tail, or rudder, to turn left or right. As is true with all paper crafts, the type of paper you use makes all the difference. Use lightweight copy or printer paper for this craft, which is ideal for the aerodynamics of a paper airplane. Stickers give a plane a little extra panache—a striped wing, for example, or a star on the tail. Of course, you can simply leave it unadorned and let the sleek craft speak for itself. What You'll Need Materials Printer paper Instructions Place an 8 1/2-by-11-inch piece of paper flat with a short side toward you. Fold in half lengthwise. Open and smooth flat; fold upper corners down to meet center crease. Fold top edges of the triangle to meet center crease. Fold the plane in half so that the folded parts are tucked inside.