Making a basic airplane out of a cereal box is easy to do. Once you have mastered the basic design of the airplane, you can adjust the shape of the body and wings, add weight, and fully customize your cereal box airplane.
Supplies:
- Cereal box
- Ruler
- Pen or pencil
- Scissors
- Craft knife (optional)
- Tape and paperclips for weight (optional)
Directions:
Step 1
Start by opening the cereal box completely and laying it flat. On one corner of the box, make a 2-inch line from one side to the other.
Step 2
Using the points on either end of this line, draw a triangle that extends the length of the box.
Step 3
Cut out the two long sides of the triangle, leaving intact the box on the short side of the triangle.
Step 4
Trim the flaps off the end, rounding the nose of the airplane. Trim off the tail of the airplane as well.
Step 5
On the extra cardboard, mark two strips for wings. Each should be about 1-1/2 inches wide.
Step 6
Cut these strips to your desired length for the wings and tail. Lay them on the airplane's body to determine placement.
Step 7
Mark the placement of the wings and tail, then cut slits on the marks using scissors or a craft knife.
Step 8
Insert the wings and tail into the slits. Fly your airplane. Trim the wings and tail, add tape and paperclips for weight, and try different methods for optimizing your airplane's flying time.
If you would like to hang your airplane, you can paint it first. Use acrylic or multi-surface paints. It may take more than one coat to cover the printing on the front of the cereal box.
If your cardboard curls up, don't worry! Curl the cardboard in the opposite direction once it is dry to straighten it back out.
You can decorate your plane by painting on windows.
Or you can paint stripes and spots.
Once you are finished, you can hang your airplanes using thread and pushpins from the ceiling.
Maybe you'll need to make a cereal box Air Traffic Control Tower next!
More to do with your family
Toilet paper tube LEGO heads
Firefly twinkle lights
Summer projects for parents and children