how to build a paper sailboat

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How to Make a Paper Boat

Last Updated: July 2, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Robert Homayoon . Robert Homayoon is an Origami Expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He has been teaching origami on YouTube since 2009. His channel has a following of over 676,000 subscribers, and his videos have garnered over 211 million views. Robert uses his channel to highlight his passion for teaching people origami, crafts, and how to solve puzzles. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007 and earned his D.M.D degree from Temple University Dental School in 2013. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 4,861,263 times.

Making an origami paper boat is a great activity that’s easy to finish and doesn’t require a lot of materials. The beauty of making a paper boat is that you only need one piece of printer paper to complete the task! By folding the paper with sharp creases and shaping it carefully, you can make a great-looking origami boat in minutes. We'll walk you through folding your own paper boat with our complete step-by-step instructions.

Creating the Initial Folds

To strengthen the crease, run your finger down the fold 3-4 more times.
You should now have 2 creases along both centers (x-axis and y-axis) of the page.
Use the crease you made before to help line up the folds coming in from the corners.
The 2 folds should line up with each other.

Tip : When you go to fold the second side, use the first fold as a reference point.

The flaps closest to you should be folded in front of the back flaps, not over them. If you fold over the back flaps, you won’t be able to fold the back flaps themselves.

Making the Final Folds

Crease the paper along its edges so that it stays in the square shape.
The bottom of the diamond should be the part of the paper with extra folds.
The bottom corners will line up to become the bottom point of a square diamond.
You may need to pull up the triangle inside the diamond while pulling apart the two sides. Try to keep the triangle inside the diamond sticking straight up as this will be your boat's "mast."
You can reinforce the corners with clear tape and tape around the bottom to keep your boat dry.

Tip : Waterproof your boat! Use a waxed paper from an art store to make your boat last longer, or color one side of the paper completely with a crayon. You can also try to make your boat out of aluminum foil.

Expert Q&A

If you are floating your boat on a large body of water, like a pond, you can tape string onto one end of the boat. Hold on to the other end of the string so that it doesn't float away! Thanks Helpful 315 Not Helpful 150
Try to get the edges of the paper to line up. An evenly made boat means less chances of tipping over. Thanks Helpful 62 Not Helpful 36
If you are making a tiny boat, don’t float it on a big body of water. You may lose it! Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 15

Tips from our Readers

If you don't have specialty supplies like wax paper or crayons, no need to fret. You likely already have the tools to waterproof your delicate paper boat right at home. Simply construct two separate boats out of ordinary printer or construction paper. Then, gently place one inside the other, nesting them together into a double-walled vessel. This should reinforce them to better withstand water without getting too soggy. Though, test float gently, as the extra weight could cause sinking if the little boat gets overburdened.
Missing wax paper for true waterproofing? Simply equip your artist's toolkit by raiding the crayon bin! Thoroughly color one whole side of the boat with thick crayon before setting it afloat in a pool, pond or puddle. The waxy buildup should act as a shield against light water exposure. Though if embarking on choppier seas, extra reinforcements may still be needed, matey!
Forego the plain printer paper and opt for fun vibrant colors and patterns! Tissue paper can make for a festively hued sail, but be extra delicate as it shreds easily, especially once wet. For best durability, stick to construction paper or card stock to give your boat more sturdiness as you launch it into the open water.

Make sure you don't have any holes, as one little hole can turn into a huge rip. This could be good in a procedural text. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 4

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about origami, check out our in-depth interview with Robert Homayoon .

↑ https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Make-a-Paper-Boat-Hard.pdf
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3QZpBL8-Tg#t=1m20s
↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-boat.shtml
↑ https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/article/make-a-paper-boat
↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-boat-2.shtml
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3QZpBL8-Tg#t=2m54s
↑ https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/nature/make-a-paper-boat/

About This Article

If you want to make a paper boat, fold a piece of paper in half from top to bottom. Then, fold it again from side to side and unfold so you have a crease in the center. Fold the top right corner down towards the center. Next, flip the paper over and fold the other corner down on the other side. Fold each of the bottom edges of the paper up and outwards to make a paper hat shape. Then, open the hat and flatten it horizontally to create a diamond. Fold the bottom edge of the diamond upwards towards the top. Then, turn the paper over and repeat on the other side. Pull the paper apart again and smooth it out to create a boat shape. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Origami Boat - How to Make a Paper Boat That Actually Floats

Introduction: Origami Boat - How to Make a Paper Boat That Actually Floats

Learn how to make an origami boat by following our step-by-step instructions. Your kids will enjoy making and sailing their paper boats and watching them float in the sink or in the great outdoors!

An A4 piece of paper

Start off with a sheet of paper and fold it in half downwards.

Fold in half again as shown on the second image (you don’t need to make the crease from top to bottom – you just need to mark the center).

Fold the top right corner into the centre.

Fold the top left corner into the centre.

Fold the top layer of the bottom rectangle up

Flip your paper over and fold the bottom rectangle up.

Fold the 4 Side Corners Inward

Pick up the paper, holding the flat edge and with the pointed end facing down. Push the left and right side together to open the piece of paper into a diamond shape. Continue to push the opposite sides together until they are flat against each other and a diamond shape is made.

Fold the bottom point up to the top point on one side.

Flip the paper over. Fold the bottom point up to the top point.

Pick up the piece of paper by the flat edge, with the pointed end facing down. Push the left and right ends of the paper together as before, to make a diamond shape. Press flat.

Pinch the top two points of the diamond and gently pull them apart. Use your thumb to press along the bottom edge.

Push the opposite end of your boat to give it shape and use your fingers to form a pyramid shape in the middle.

Your origami boat is now ready to sail! Bring it to the nearest pond. A puddle left over from the next big rain shower will also work fine.