How to make a paper boat
Paper Boat: try all 22 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
The traditional paper boat, folded from a rectangle through a newspaper hat and two pockets.
- You need
- One rectangular sheet of paper. No glue or scissors.
- Start
- Start white side up, with the short edge at the top.
- Tips
- Press each crease firmly before opening the next pocket.
- Use a rectangle of thin paper so the pockets open easily.
Your model is ready
Your paper boat is ready to sail. Set it gently on still water; thin, waxy paper keeps it afloat longest.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–6
- 1
Crease the middle
Fold the right edge to the left edge, press, and open.
- 2
Fold in half
Fold the top edge down to the bottom edge.
- 3
Fold the left corner down
Fold both layers of the top left corner down to the center crease.
- 4
Fold the right corner down
Fold both layers of the top right corner down to meet the first corner.
- 5
Fold the front strip up
Fold the front bottom strip up over the triangle.
- 6
Wrap the left brim corner
Fold the loose left corner of the brim over the triangle's side.
Steps 7–12
- 7
Wrap the right brim corner
Fold the loose right corner of the brim over the other side.
- 8
Turn over
Turn the hat over to reach the other strip.
- 9
Fold the back strip up
Fold the remaining bottom strip up over this side of the triangle.
- 10
Wrap the left brim corner
Fold the loose left corner of the brim over the triangle's side.
- 11
Wrap the right brim corner
Fold the loose right corner of the brim over the other side.
- 12
Turn back
Turn the hat back, keeping its peak at the top.
Steps 13–18
- 13
Open the hat and flatten
Open the hat from the bottom, bring its side ends together, and press it into a square.
- 14
Turn the square
Turn the square so the hat's peak points up and the loose point faces down.
- 15
Raise the front point
Fold the front bottom point up to the top point, taking the whole front flap together.
- 16
Turn over
Turn the triangle over to reach the remaining bottom point.
- 17
Raise the back point
Fold the remaining bottom point up to the top point, taking the whole remaining flap together.
- 18
Turn back
Turn the triangle back, keeping the point at the top.
Steps 19–22
- 19
Open the triangle and flatten
Open the triangle from below, bring its side ends together, and press it into a smaller square.
- 20
Turn the small square
Turn the small square so the two loose tips meet at the top.
- 21
Pull the tips apart
Hold the two loose tips at the top, one on each side of the slit, and pull them apart. The square opens into an upside-down hat; push its bottom point up inside and press the boat flat.
- 22
Open the hull
Pinch the middle of the bottom and spread the two sides apart, so the hull opens around the small triangle standing inside.
- ✓
Finish
Your paper boat is ready to sail. Set it gently on still water; thin, waxy paper keeps it afloat longest.
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