A fun paper craft idea to make is a paper boat. While it may seem complicated at first, making a paper boat is actually pretty simple when we break it down into easy steps. This post is going to outline how to make a paper boat in 9 easy steps – and you only need a single sheet of paper.
What type of paper should you use to make a paper boat?
These step by step instructions for how to make a paper boat is most effective using an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper.
When making a paper boat, you can ultimately use any type of paper you want although some paper will work better than others. Thicker paper like construction paper can be more difficult to fold where as thinner paper like origami paper or printer paper will be easier to fold.
If you want to make your boat more waterproof, you can use a waxed paper that can be found in any arts and crafts store. Alternatively, you can also use aluminum foil instead of paper as this will be more water resistant.
How to make a paper boat in 9 easy steps…
1. Fold the paper “hot dog style”
The first step to make your paper boat is to orient the paper vertically on your table and then fold it from left to right or, “hot dog style”. Align the corners so they match up. Solidify the fold by running your fingers over it a few times. Finally, unfold the paper so now you have a crease in your paper.
2. Fold the paper “hamburger style”
Next, you will orient the paper horizontally and fold the paper from left to right again or, “hamburger style”. Align the corners so they match up and run your fingers over the fold several times to make the crease neat. This time you will not unfold the paper but leave it folded in this horizontal orientation.
3. Rotate the paper and fold down the top corners
The next step in how to make a paper boat is to rotate the paper so that the fold would open towards you. Then, fold down the top right corner towards the middle of the paper, lining up with the middle crease. You will also want to leave about 1-2 inches of space at the bottom of the paper.
Repeat this step with the left corner so each side is identical.
4. Fold the bottom flaps up
After step 3, you should have 1-2 inches of paper on the bottom. Fold the top flap up towards the two triangles you folded in the last step.
Next, flip your paper over and repeat with the flap on the other side.
5. Fold the corners to create a triangle
The next step for how to make a paper boat is to fold the corners of each flap and tuck them in so that you now have a triangle.
6. Transform the triangle into a diamond
Now that you have a triangle, you are going to transform it into a square. Pick up and rotate the triangle so that the opening is towards you. Now pull the triangle apart gently so it shifts into a square shape. The corners of the triangle should line up so you have a square or diamond.
7. Fold the diamond into a triangle
The next step is to fold the diamond into a triangle – but a smaller triangle than you made in step 5. To do this, orient the paper so that the half of the diamond that has extra folds is on the bottom. Next, you will fold the bottom half of the diamond so that the bottom point lines up with the top point.
Then flip over the paper and do the same thing on the other side, leaving you with a triangle.
8. Transform the triangle into a diamond (again)
You will repeat the same thing you did in step 6 by picking up and rotating the triangle so the opening is facing you. Then pull the triangle apart gently so that it becomes a square or diamond shape.
9. Pull apart the triangles to create your paper boat
The last step in how to make a paper boat is to pull the two halves of the diamond apart so the paper shifts into a boat shape. The triangle inside of the diamond should remain upright as your boat’s mast.
That is how to make a paper boat in just 9 easy steps.
Using the steps above, you should now have a paper boat that is ready to float. To test it out, fill a tub or small basin with water. If needed, make small adjustments to the folds so that the boat floats evenly. To reinforce the boat you can also add some tape to the corners to keep them in place.
Comment below with how making a paper boat went for you!