Q&A for How to Make a Paper Boat

A heavier paper typically implies greater thickness, often measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Depending on the specific model of origami and the desired outcome, using thicker or sticker paper can present challenges in folding. For instance, when teaching how to make an origami boomerang, I recommend a certain GSM, approximately 100, and include this advice in my instructions. In general, it holds true that heavier paper can be more difficult to fold, particularly if the model involves numerous folds layered on top of each other, making the paper denser and harder to manipulate.

Yes, and it won't sink as quickly, since it'll be waterproofed.

Yes, but not too many things, and not things that are too heavy or too big.

It may be slightly harder to fold, since normal paper is thicker than origami paper.

Yes, you may. But too heavy or too big decorations sink your boat.

No, it would be hard to fold and it would likely break at the creases instead of bending. If you want a strong boat, use a flash card or construction paper.

The best type of paper is origami paper.

At first it will float, but eventually as the paper gets waterlogged, it will come apart.

Yes, you can turn a paper boat into a hat. As you are making the boat, stop at step 4. You will have your paper hat. If you have already made a paper boat, undo steps 5 to 10.

Yes, you can try to make a very small paper boat with Post-It notes, but it won't be easy.

It's easier to use rectangle pieces of paper as you have to fold the paper at the beginning.

No, it doesn't. The boat will just float on the surface.

It takes about five minutes to make a paper boat according to these instructions.

It could probably be added as a suggestion, but it's not something you must do.

Yes. Bigger or smaller papers mean bigger or smaller boats. The thickness of the paper will also determine how strong your boat is and how well it floats, so play around with different papers and materials to see which one creates the best boat.

Keep making paper boats. Practice makes perfect. If you keep trying to do it, eventually you'll get the hang of it.

No more than the weight of the paper boat itself. For example if the paper boat weights 50 grams, the object shouldn't weight more.

You could tape aluminum foil on the outside of the paper after folding it. However, the boat won’t break just because you put it in water without doing anything to it.

Aluminum foil is waterproof and does not sink.

Yes, you can make a sail go wherever you would like to on the boat.

Yes. If you covered your boat in wax, it would seal the paper, making it so your boat won’t sink as easily.

Find a book or do a little searching on the internet.

Yes, but it will be more difficult and it may be smaller than intended. I recommend using normal rectangular paper.

It depends on how thick the paper is and about what type of paper you are using.

Gently push it with your finger, but make sure that you're not putting too much weight on the boat. You could also try blowing on it from behind or using a fan.

Yes. It says in the beginning that you can use copy paper, construction paper, or origami paper, and you can use whichever color you want.

They're the same thing.

Start again from scratch. Try following the instructions exactly or watching the video.

It can hold around 30 pennies. If you want your boat to hold more weight, make it bigger.

Grab the two corners and pull them apart (like opening an egg). If the center wobbles or flops over, just straighten it or secure it with tape.