How to Make a Classic Paper Airplane

Learn how to fold a simple, high-flying paper airplane using just one sheet of paper and a few easy steps. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Make the center crease. Place your paper flat on the table in a vertical position (tall like a tower). Fold the paper in half by bringing the long sides together, crease the middle firmly with your fingernail, then unfold it so you have a line running down the center.
2. Fold the top corners. Take the top two corners and fold them toward the center crease. The top of your paper should now look like a triangle pointing upward.
3. Create the nose. Take the new angled edges you just created and fold them toward the center line again. This will make the nose of your plane look very sharp and narrow.
4. Fold the body. Fold the entire plane in half along your original center crease so that all the folded parts are hidden inside. Your plane should now look like a long, flat triangle.
5. Form the wings. Fold each side down to meet the bottom edge of the plane's body. Press the creases down hard so the wings stay flat when you let go.