Join in · Craft & experiment

The wide glider

A folded tip and broad wings change the dart.

Some practice · 8 picture steps

You need one A4 sheet of ordinary printer paper and a ruler. No scissors needed.

Download folding guide as PDF

Watch the slow folding animation →

Let’s fold

  1. Step 1

    Mark the middle

    1. Before
    Before: Mark the middle
    2. Fold
    Fold: Mark the middle
    3. After
    After: Mark the middle

    Fold, press flat, then reopen.

    Place A4 upright. Fold lengthwise in half. Reopen.

  2. Step 2

    Fold the corners

    1. Before
    Before: Fold the corners
    2. Fold
    Fold: Fold the corners
    3. After
    After: Fold the corners

    Fold both top corners to the centre crease.

  3. Step 3

    Fold the edges

    1. Before
    Before: Fold the edges
    2. Fold
    Fold: Fold the edges
    3. After
    After: Fold the edges

    Fold the sloping outside edges to the centre again.

  4. Step 4

    Fold the tip

    1. Before
    Before: Fold the tip
    2. Fold
    Fold: Fold the tip
    3. After
    After: Fold the tip

    Measure 4 cm down from the tip. Fold the tip downward across that line. It now sits 8 cm below its old position.

  5. Step 5

    Close the body

    1. Before
    Before: Close the body
    2. Fold
    Fold: Close the body
    3. After
    After: Close the body

    Close lengthwise; the folded tip stays inside.

  6. Step 6

    Broad wing

    1. Before
    Before: Broad wing
    2. Fold
    Fold: Broad wingGrip: 1.5 cm
    3. After
    After: Broad wing

    Only the top wing is folded. The second wing is still unfolded underneath.

    At the bottom, measure 1.5 cm out from the closed centre fold. Fold the upper half, including all its paper layers, down along a parallel line; the narrow strip stays as the grip.

  7. Step 7

    Match the other side

    1. Before
    Before: Match the other side
    2. Fold
    Fold: Match the other sideGrip: 1.5 cm
    3. After
    After: Match the other side

    Turn over first: the unfolded side faces up. The first wing stays underneath.

    Turn the paper over like a book page. Fold the second wing to match.

  8. Step 8

    Lift slightly

    1. Before
    After: Match the other side
    2. Open
    After: Match the other side
    3. After
    After

    Open both wings; keep the narrow grip closed.

    Open the wings slightly upward. Push gently forward.

Help with folding

Upright means the short edges are at the top and bottom. The centre crease is the long fold in the middle. The grip is the narrow part underneath the wings. Measure it sideways from the closed centre fold. Parallel means the new line stays the same distance from the centre fold all the way along. Press creases flat with your finger.

Folding principle checked against: NASA: Wingin’ It – Basic, Dart und X-Plane. Our variant of the X-Plane principle: a 4 cm tip fold and broad wings. Try its flight behaviour for yourself.

Compare three flights →