Oh what fun this summer has been! In our last Summer Learning Idea blog and reel posts, we have explored numerous different low budget and simple ways to keep kids learning this summer. They just can’t be stagnant academically all summer.

The latest idea is perhaps the most fun: Make paper airplanes. My five year old son just discovered this at the learning center at our gym, and he is hooked. Those are all his airplanes from over the summer that he has made, colored, and flown. When he brought home the first one, I was reminded of the joy and simplicity of paper airplanes. All that is needed is paper! They will fly without designs and color. So this probably the most simplest learning idea we have shared because you just need one piece of paper to make this activity happen.

Since this is a Summer Learning Idea, let’s discuss the learning:

1. Following directions.
2. Reading-reading the instructions for using a template.
3. Fine motor skill development-decorating the airplane.
4. Art-decorating and designing the airplane.
5. Physics-why does one plane style fly better than another. Understanding of airplane concepts and how flight works.
6. Math-measuring the distance the plans flew. Easily can make a chart of the data collected.

See….so much learning!

Below are a few websites with various templates for different airplane designs for those parents like me who don’t have airplane folds beyond the basic one memorized.

1. From How Wee Learn: https://www.howweelearn.com/paper-airplane-designs-for-kids/ This shows ten different designs. Included is downloadable instructions for each fold and a video for each one as well.
2. Fold N’ Fly. https://www.foldnfly.com/#/1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-1 Over 50 airplane templates. This website has all the various paper airplane designs.

Here is our reel on making paper airplanes: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM1T-jwvqj6/. Now go make some memories with your children this summer and create some paper airplanes for another two for one activity: Fun and learning!