Building Paper Airplanes and Learning How They Fly

SciShow Kids

This educational video from SciShow Kids guides students through the hands-on process of building a paper airplane while simultaneously introducing the fundamental physics concepts that allow planes to fly. Hosted by Jessi and her robot companion Squeaks, the video combines a practical maker activity with clear, age-appropriate scientific explanations of aerodynamic forces. The content focuses on two primary forces: thrust and lift. It explains how thrust provides forward movement (created by engines in real planes and by a throwing arm for paper planes) and how lift acts against gravity to keep the plane in the air. The video uses clear animations to demonstrate how air moving over wings creates lift, simplifying complex fluid dynamics into an accessible concept for young learners. For the classroom, this video serves as an excellent dual-purpose resource. It functions as a step-by-step instructional guide for a fine motor activity while also serving as a science lesson on forces and motion. Teachers can use it to introduce a STEM unit on flight, anchoring the theoretical concepts of physics in a tangible, fun activity that encourages experimentation and engineering design.