Origami Pico

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How to fold a locking paper airplane

Fold a compact cruiser with a locking nose tab and broad wings.

Pocket Cruiser · Easy · 3 min guide estimate

Start folding Pocket Cruiser

Before you start

This guide follows the Pocket Cruiser activity in Origami Pico. Open the interactive version to see the current paper, highlighted fold and movement in 3D. Choose a free basic paper to try it as many times as you like.

No physical paper is needed for the on-screen activity. If you want to try real paper too, use the linked folding reference below alongside the app. Some movements are adapted for the interactive guide.

Folding instructions

  1. Find the center

    Fold left to right, then reopen to mark the middle.

  2. First corner to the center

    Bring the top left corner to the center line.

  3. Match the other corner

    Bring the top right corner to meet the first one.

  4. Bring the nose down

    Fold the pointed top down over the corner flaps.

  5. Shape the left shoulder

    Bring the upper left corner to the center, leaving the little point below.

  6. Match the right shoulder

    Bring the upper right corner to the same point on the center line.

  7. Lock the nose folds

    Fold the free bottom point up along the line joining its two corners, over the shoulder flaps.

  8. Close the body

    Fold the left half over the right along the center crease.

  9. Crease the first wing

    Fold the first wing down and press its crease. Leave it folded flat.

  10. Turn to the other wing (automatic view change)

    Turn the entire airplane over to expose its second wing.

  11. Crease the matching wing

    Fold the second wing down and press its crease while the first stays folded flat.

  12. Open the first wing

    Hold the body and lift the first wing halfway along its pressed crease.

  13. Open the matching wing

    Hold the body and lift the second wing halfway to match. Keep the first wing free.

  14. Ready for flight (automatic view change)

    Turn the whole airplane until its wings are level.

Use this lesson together

Read one instruction aloud, describe where the moving corner will go, then make the fold. Students or family members can take turns explaining the next step.

Classroom activity guide · Family folding guide

Folding reference

This app activity is based on Fold ’N Fly: The Stable, with adaptations for interactive 3D folding.

Start folding Pocket Cruiser