National Paper Airplane Day takes flight every May 26, commemorating the timeless appeal of this simple aeronautical toy. Join enthusiasts worldwide in folding, launching, and competing in distance and time-in-air contests. Unleash your inner child and discover the physics and artistry behind every perfect glide.
National Paper Airplane Day timeline
In France, the Montgolfier brothers make hot-air balloons using paper.
The Montgolfier brothers make the first paper cloth-lined hot-air balloon, which can carry humans.
Jack Northrop tests the aerodynamics of larger airplanes using paper models.
The world record for the longest flight of a paper airplane is held by Ken Blackburn, with a 27.6-second flight.
National Paper Airplane Day FAQs
National Paper Airplane Day Activities
Design your own paper airplane
This is the easiest and most fun way to participate in National Paper Airplane Day. Channel your inner child and get crafty! You can use watercolors, markers, or glitter. What’s your favorite color? Your paper airplane represents you, fly high!
Organize a paper airplane contest
Grab some co-workers or friends and head outside. Utilize your social media to find interested contestants. Most contests offer two basic flight categories: distance and time in air, but you can add more categories to your contest. Don’t forget the prizes.
Teach a kid to make a paper airplane
You may not believe it, but paper airplane are truly becoming a lost pastime. Celebrate paper airplanes and National Paper Airplane Day by teaching America’s youth the art and joy of making a paper airplane. It might be hard at first to pull your kids or nieces and nephews away from their computers, but once they do, you’ll all have a blast making planes together and flying them in the sunshine.
Why We Love National Paper Airplane Day
They let us get artistic
There aren’t many excuses in this modern life to let your inner artist out, but making a paper airplane is one of them! Folding and decorating a paper airplane is the perfect opportunity to bring out your arts and craft kit. Get crafty! Personalize your paper plane with paint, markers, crayons, glitter — the sky is the limit.
It doesn’t take technology to participate
We could all use a few minutes away from our smart phones and computers. Building a paper airplane allows you to unplug from technology, relax, get outside, and get some fresh air. (But if you must bring your phone, it makes a great Snapchat story.)
It’s a great way to relive your childhood
Time flies. Remember those sunny Saturday afternoons you spent with your best friend in the park? Sometime life can be hectic, but building a paper airplane can take you back to those days you flew paper airplanes with your BFF and had ice cream afterward.
National Paper Airplane Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | May 26 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | May 26 | Friday |
| 2029 | May 26 | Saturday |
| 2030 | May 26 | Sunday |
| 2031 | May 26 | Monday |
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