60-second
Paper Plane Contest
Also called Paper Airplane Challenge, Eroplanong Papel
Everyone folds a plane from one sheet of paper; longest flight, best accuracy and best design all win prizes.
- people
- 4–80
- time
- 20 min
- energy
- Medium
- materials
- Household items
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Before you start
Mark a launch line with tape and clear a long runway in front of it. Hand out paper and give everyone five minutes to fold.
- 1Each player has five minutes to fold and decorate one plane.
- 2Players throw one at a time from behind the line, two attempts each.
- 3Measure from the line to where the plane first touches the floor; best attempt counts.
- 4Prizes for longest flight, most accurate (closest to the target) and best looking.
What to say3
- 1“Five minutes to fold. Make it fast, make it pretty!”
- 2“Behind the line… and launch!”
- 3“That one went eight metres! Who can beat it?”
Host tips3
- Air-con vents and fans wreck flights. Turn them off or throw in the other direction.
- People forget how to fold a plane. Show one simple design on screen or fold one in front of the room first.
- Write each name on the plane before throwing; after the second round, nobody knows whose plane is whose.
Variants2
Team engineering
Teams design one plane together with a two-minute planning time. Good team-building debrief afterward.
Target landing
Land the plane in a hoop or bucket. Evens the field between strong throwers and careful folders.
Safety1
- Paper plane tips can hit eyes — throw in one direction, with spectators behind the launch line.
Good for
Occasions
Team buildingSchoolBirthdayReunionRetreatChristmas
Venues
Indoor, largeOutdoorOfficeChurch hall