Buzz
Folding a paper boat is a fun and easy recreational activity that requires very few materials. The amazing part? All you need is a single sheet of paper to create your own little masterpiece! By folding the paper into crisp, sharp creases and shaping it to resemble a boat, you can craft a beautiful paper boat in no time!
Steps
Create the Initial Folds
Fold a 22x28 cm sheet of paper in half. Place the paper vertically and fold it from left to right, ensuring the edges align perfectly. You can use regular printer paper, colored craft paper, or origami paper. This is called the "hotdog fold." Remember to crease the folds firmly.
- For sharp creases, run your finger along the fold 3-4 times.
Unfold the paper, rotate it horizontally, and fold it in half again. Now, the paper will lie horizontally. After adjusting its position, fold the paper from left to right. This "hamburger fold" will create a new crease in the center of the paper.
- You now have two creases intersecting at the center of the paper (horizontal and vertical axes).
Flip the paper so the open edge faces you. Next, fold the top corners toward the center of the paper, leaving a gap of 2.5–5 cm from the bottom edge. Ensure the folds align with the central crease. Press firmly along the folds to secure them.
- Use the newly created creases to align the folds from the corners downward.
Fold the bottom edge of the paper up to meet both sides. Fold the lower section of the paper upward, aligning it with the base of the two triangles you just folded. Flip the paper over and repeat the fold on the other side. This will form a paper hat shape.
- Ensure both folds are aligned neatly.
Tip: When folding the back side, compare it with the front fold to ensure proper alignment.
Fold the two bottom corners inward. On one side of the paper, take the protruding corners of the rectangle and fold them over the triangle. Tuck the paper over the edge of the triangle and press it down. Next, fold the lower section of the paper upward so it overlaps the triangle’s edge and faces toward you.
- The paper closest to you should fold in front of the back section, not over it; otherwise, you won’t be able to fold the back section properly.
Take it a step further: Try enrolling in Mytour's Origami for Beginners course! Explore popular origami folding techniques and challenge your skills with more intricate designs.
Create the Final Folds
Transform the triangle into a square. Hold the triangle, rotate it 45 degrees, then use your fingers to open the base of the triangle. Gently pull the two folded edges apart until it pops into a square shape. Ensure the bottom corners of the triangle overlap and form the bottom corner of the diamond.
- Press along the edges to maintain the square shape.
Fold the bottom flap upward. Rotate the paper so the bottom tip of the diamond can be folded up. Fold one corner to align with the top corner. Flip the paper over and repeat the fold on the other side.
- The bottom tip of the diamond is the part with multiple folds.
Turn the triangle into a square once more. As before, hold the triangle, rotate it diagonally at a 45-degree angle, then open the base of the new triangle. Press along the edges to maintain the square shape.
- The bottom corners will overlap neatly and become the bottom tip of the square.
Pull the two triangles on either side of the diamond apart. Starting from the top of the diamond, gently pull the sides outward so the gap in the middle of the diamond opens like a flower. Press the fold underneath to make the boat sturdier.
- You may need to lift the inner triangle while pulling the sides of the boat outward. Try to keep the triangle inside the diamond upright, as this will serve as the "mast" of the boat.
Launch the paper boat. Fill a small tub with water and place the boat on the surface. If it starts to tilt, adjust it to sit upright so it doesn’t sink.
- You can use clear tape to reinforce the corners and seal the bottom of the boat to prevent it from getting wet.
Tip: Waterproof your boat! Use wax paper from a craft store to make the boat more durable, or color one side of the paper with crayons. You can also try folding a boat using aluminum foil.
Advice
- Note that thicker paper is harder to fold.
- If you plan to sail the boat on larger bodies of water like ponds or lakes, attach a string to one end of the boat. Hold the other end of the string to keep your boat from drifting away!
- Try to align the edges of the paper neatly. A balanced boat is less likely to tip over.
- If you make a tiny boat, avoid launching it on large bodies of water. It can easily drift away!
- Ensure you press the folds firmly. Use a ruler to create sharp creases.
- Ready for a new challenge? Next time, try folding a paper tank!
Warning
- Ensure the boat has no holes, as even a small tear can cause it to fall apart.
