How to make a sea glider paper airplane
Sea Glider Paper Airplane: try all 8 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
An Origami Tutor sea glider: a broad rectangular wing with its front edge rolled into a thick band. It drifts down slowly and floats a long way on a gentle push.
- You need
- One sheet of letter paper (A4 works too). No glue or scissors.
- Start
- Lay a sheet of letter paper in front of you, short edge at the top.
- Tips
- Press each roll flat before the next: an even band keeps the nose from drooping to one side.
- Throw it softly and level. If it dives, bend the back edges of both wings up a little.
Your model is ready
Hold the body under the wings and let the glider go with a slow, gentle push.
Step-by-step diagrams
- 1
Crease the middle
Fold the paper in half from left to right, crease it, and open it again.
- 2
Fold the top edge down
Fold the top edge down about an inch, across the whole width.
- 3
Roll it down again
Fold the new top edge down another inch, over the first fold.
- 4
Roll it down once more
Fold the top edge down a third inch. The front edge is now a thick, even band.
- 5
Fold in half
Fold the plane in half along the center crease, with the band on the outside.
- 6
Fold the first wing down
Fold the top wing down along a line an inch from the body's fold and parallel to it.
- 7
Fold the second wing behind
Fold the other wing back along the same line, so it matches the first.
- 8
Spread the glider wings
Open both broad rectangular wings away from the body. Leave a shallow V with both tips a little above the roots, keeping the thick front band folded flat. Then turn the plane upright, keel below.
- ✓
Finish
Hold the body under the wings and let the glider go with a slow, gentle push.
Fold next
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Easy paper airplane ↗
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Paper glider ↗
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Distance dart ↗
An Origami Tutor distance dart: a slim dart whose point is folded down to lock the nose folds, so the weight sits up front and the nose stays shut on a hard, long throw.