EASY · TRADITIONAL MODEL
Paper boat
A traditional model: make the paper hat, open it and flatten it twice into a low triangle, then open it from below to shape the hull. A rectangular sheet is all you need.
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The steps, in words
Get your paper ready.
Lay a rectangular sheet upright, with the long sides running up and down. If one side is coloured, put it face down.
With a bigger sheet, the boat comes out bigger.
Fold the sheet in half, from top to bottom.
Bring the top edge down onto the bottom edge, lining up the corners. The fold is at the top, horizontal, and the folded sheet is wider than it is tall.
Line up the corners well before pressing the fold.
Fold the folded sheet in half, sideways.
Bring the left side over to the right, with both layers together. The fold runs vertically, through the centre.
This is only to mark the centre: the fold does not need to be pressed hard.
Unfold.
Open it again. A vertical mark is left in the centre, from the fold at the top to the bottom edge. It is the guide for the next folds.
Run your fingernail along the mark so it shows clearly.
Fold the top left corner down to the mark.
With both layers together, bring the top left corner to the mark in the centre. The fold starts at the midpoint of the folded edge and runs diagonally down to the left edge.
Make sure the fold starts exactly at the centre of the top edge.
Fold the top right corner down to the mark.
Do the same on the other side: bring the top right corner to the mark in the centre. The two points meet at the mark and a triangle is left at the top.
Compare both sides: the points should be at the same height.
Fold up the bottom strip of the front layer.
Fold up only the bottom strip of the front layer. The fold runs horizontally, along the line where the triangle ends. The strip lies over the triangle, and its ends stick out a little at the sides.
Hold the back layer with your other hand so it does not move.
Fold the strip of the back layer backwards.
Make the same fold with the strip of the back layer, but backwards and along the same line. It is a mountain fold: the strip ends up behind. You now have the paper hat, still closed.
It is a mountain fold, so the paper moves away from you. That way you do not need to turn the paper over.
Open the hat from below and flatten it into a square.
Pull the layers apart at the opening underneath and flatten the paper sideways: the two bottom corners meet in the centre, at the bottom. The middle of the bottom edge of the front layer goes to one side and that of the back layer to the other. A square is left, standing on one corner, with the point of the hat at the top.
Go slowly and press the folds with your fingernail before moving on.
Fold up the bottom point of the front layers.
Fold the bottom point of the front layers up until it touches the top point. The fold runs horizontally, along the line that joins the two side points.
Hold the back layers with your other hand so they do not move.
Fold the bottom point of the back layers backwards.
Do the same with the back layers, but backwards and along the same line. It is a mountain fold. A triangle is left, with its point at the top and its base horizontal.
It is a mountain fold: the paper moves away from you.
Open the triangle from below and flatten it again.
Pull the layers apart at the opening underneath and flatten the paper as before: the two points of the base meet in the centre, at the bottom, and the middle of the bottom edge goes to each side. Another square is left, standing on one corner and smaller than the first.
It is the same movement as before, with smaller paper.
Fold up the bottom point of the front layers.
Fold the bottom point of the front layers up until it touches the top point. The fold runs horizontally, along the line that joins the two side points.
Hold the back layers with your other hand so they do not move.
Fold the bottom point of the back layers backwards.
Do the same with the back layers, but backwards and along the same line. A low triangle is left, with its base horizontal; its base is half the width of the sheet.
It is a mountain fold: the paper moves away from you.
Pull the points of the base apart to open the hull.
Hold the triangle by its top point and pull the two points of the base apart, one to each side, while the paper opens underneath. The hull takes shape, and the top point is left as a small peak in the middle.
Open it slowly and smooth the bottom with your fingers.
Your boat is ready.
The drawing shows the boat from the side, flat: the hull with a white rim along the top and a small peak in the middle. In real paper the hull has volume.
If a fold comes undone, press it again with your fingernail.