Paper airplanes

The fast pointy plane. It likes a gentle, level throw.

One sheet of US Letter or A4, blank side up, tall side vertical.

1. Step 1. Fold the paper in half the long way. Crease it firmly, then open it flat. That center line guides every other fold.

2. Step 2. Fold the two top corners in so the edges sit on the center crease.

3. Step 3. Fold the new slanted edges in to the center crease. The nose gets longer and narrower.

4. Step 4. Fold the plane in half along the center crease, with the folded nose on the outside. The two wings should stack.

5. Step 5. Fold one wing down so the fold is parallel to the bottom of the body. Leave a finger-width of body under the wing. Flip and match the other wing.

Bigger wings, slower flight. Good for a calm indoor throw.

One sheet of US Letter or A4, tall side vertical.

1. Step 1. Make the same center crease as the dart: fold in half the long way, crease, and open the paper.

2. Step 2. Fold the top corners to the center crease once. Do not fold them in a second time.

3. Step 3. Fold the plane in half along the center crease, nose folds on the outside.

4. Step 4. Fold a wide wing down, leaving only a narrow body along the bottom. Match the second wing. A tiny upward bend at each wingtip helps it fly straight.

A small fold at the nose adds weight up front, so the plane flies straighter indoors.

One sheet of US Letter or A4, tall side vertical.

1. Step 1. Fold a strip about two fingers wide at the top. Fold that strip over once more, then crease hard.

2. Step 2. Fold in half the long way, crease, and open it. You still use the center line, with the blunt nose at the top.

3. Step 3. Fold the top corners to the center, then fold the new slanted edges to the center, the same as the classic dart.

4. Step 4. Fold in half and fold both wings down, leaving a small body. Keep the wing folds even or the plane will curve.