June 7: The Great Paper Aeroplane Challenge
Taking Flight: Fun and Friendly Competition
What starts as a simple sheet of paper can quickly become a high-flying adventure.
Making paper aeroplanes is a classic screen-free activity that combines creativity, problem-solving and plenty of fun. Children (and grown-ups) can experiment with different designs, test their ideas and discover what happens when small changes affect how their aeroplanes fly.
Once the planes are ready, the challenge begins. Will they compete for distance, accuracy, airtime, or the most creative design? There is no single way to play, making this an activity that can be adapted to suit different interests, ages and abilities.
Every Aeroplane Tells a Story
One of the most enjoyable aspects of paper aeroplanes is that no two creations are exactly alike.
Some children may focus on building the fastest plane possible. Others may prefer decorating their aircraft with bright colours, imaginative patterns or even creating an entire fleet with names and backstories.
The process encourages children to test, make adjustments and learn through experimentation. If a plane doesn't fly as expected, they can make changes and try again.
This helps develop valuable skills such as:
Creative thinking
Problem-solving
Resilience and perseverance
Fine motor skills
Curiosity and experimentation
Rather than focusing on getting it perfect the first time, children learn that improvement often comes through trial and error.
Redefining What “Winning” Looks Like
A flying contest doesn't have to be about finding a single winner.
Creating different categories allows everyone to participate and succeed in their own way. Families, schools or community groups might award prizes for:
Longest flight
Most accurate landing
Most creative design
Best decoration
Most unusual aeroplane
Best teamwork
By broadening the definition of success, children can celebrate a variety of strengths and talents.
Activities become more inclusive when there are multiple ways to take part and contribute.
More Than Just a Piece of Paper
Lots of these screen-free activities remind us that “traditional” entertainment does not need to be complicated. Just a sheet of paper (or two) and a little imagination!
The best moments may not come from the plane that flies the furthest. They might come from the laughter after an unexpected crash landing, the excitement of a successful redesign, or the pride of sharing an invention with others.
Today, grab some paper and start folding!
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