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Airplanes are one of the easiest themes to craft. The shape is simple, the colors are bright and kids already know what a plane looks like.
Most of these use things you already have: craft sticks, paper plates, clothespins and cardboard tubes. Several suit toddlers, and a few stretch to older kids who want a build that flies.
Pick one that fits your supplies and your patience. For crafts that move, try paper airplane designs, and for big builds see cardboard airplane ideas. Rainy-day games that are not crafts are in airplane activities for kids.
01. Popsicle Stick Airplane
What it is A flat plane made from craft sticks: one stick for the body, two glued across as wings and a small stick for the tail, about 6 inches (15 cm) long.
Why it works It is the classic first craft because the pieces are cheap and the plane holds together after one coat of paint.
How to get it Glue sticks with white craft glue and let them dry for 30 minutes. Paint the plane with washable paint, then add a bead for the cockpit. A pack of 100 sticks costs a few dollars and makes about 15 planes.
02. Clothespin Airplane
What it is A spring clothespin used as the fuselage, with a craft stick wing clipped through the grip and a button or bead for the propeller.
Why it works There is almost no gluing, so younger kids can assemble it themselves.
How to get it Slide a jumbo craft stick between the clothespin jaws so it sits across the middle. Paint both pieces and glue a button on the nose. Draw windows with a marker and the plane is finished in about 15 minutes.
03. Paper Plate Airplane
What it is A plane cut from a single plate: the rim forms the wings and the center forms the body, usually 9 inches (23 cm) across.
Why it works Plates take paint well and are sturdy enough to hang up.
How to get it Cut a plate in half, then trim one half into wings and curl the other into a nose cone. Staple the pieces together and paint stripes. Hang the plane from a string for a classroom display.
04. Egg Carton Jet
What it is A single egg carton cup used as the body, with paper or foam wings and a pointed paper tail.
Why it works It turns recycling into a toy and needs only paint and scissors.
How to get it Cut one cup from the carton and paint it. Glue on cardstock wings about 5 inches (13 cm) wide and a folded tail fin. Add small dot windows with a marker.
05. Toilet Paper Roll Airplane
What it is A tube body with cardstock wings slotted through the sides and a pinned paper propeller on the nose.
Why it works A tube already looks like a fuselage, so kids see results fast.
How to get it Cut two slits on opposite sides of a tube and slide a strip of cardstock through for wings. Glue a paper tail on the back. Paint it in solid colors, then add a brad for a spinning propeller.
06. Plastic Bottle Rocket Plane
What it is A small water bottle used as the body, with foam sheet wings and a cap that doubles as the nose.
Why it works The curved shape gives a convincing jet body without any carving.
How to get it Rinse a 16 ounce (475 ml) bottle and let it dry. Wrap it in painted paper or cover with tape, then slot foam wings through two cuts. Glue the cap on the front.
07. Handprint Airplane Art
What it is A keepsake painting where two handprints form the wings and a painted oval forms the body.
Why it works It doubles as a gift or a record of how big little hands were.
How to get it Press a painted hand on paper twice, fingers pointing outward. Add an oval body with a brush between them. Date the back and frame it for grandparents.
08. Footprint Airplane Keepsake
What it is A baby footprint stamped on paper and finished with drawn wings, tail and clouds.
Why it works It is a simple way to mark a first year, and it fits a flight-themed nursery.
How to get it Brush washable paint on the sole and press onto cardstock. Draw wings with a marker once it dries. Add a name and date along the bottom.
09. Tissue Paper Sky Collage
What it is A sheet of paper covered in torn tissue paper squares to make a sky, with a cut-out airplane on top.
Why it works Tearing and gluing builds fine motor skills and the result looks bright on a window.
How to get it Paint diluted white glue on a sheet and press on blue and white tissue pieces. Layer them until the paper is covered. Glue a plane cut from cardstock across the middle.
10. Stained Glass Window Plane
What it is A black paper plane outline filled with colored tissue or cellophane, so light shines through it.
Why it works It looks striking in a window and gets the kids involved in color mixing.
How to get it Cut an airplane-shaped hole from black construction paper, leaving a 1 inch (2.5 cm) border. Tape clear contact paper behind it and press on tissue pieces. Hang it on a sunny window.
11. Salt Dough Airplane Ornament
What it is A baked ornament cut from salt dough with a cookie cutter and finished with paint and a string loop.
Why it works It lasts for years and makes a good holiday or birthday gift.
How to get it Mix 2 cups (250 g) flour, 1 cup (290 g) salt and 1 cup (240 ml) water. Cut shapes with a plane cookie cutter and poke a hole at the top. Bake at 250°F (120°C) for about 2 hours, cool and paint.
12. Air-Dry Clay Mini Plane
What it is A small hand-molded plane from air-dry clay, about 4 inches (10 cm) long.
Why it works Clay lets older kids shape curved noses and tails that paper cannot make.
How to get it Roll a sausage for the body and flatten a second piece for the wings. Press them together with a little water, add a tail and let dry for 24 hours. Paint with acrylics and seal with a matte coat.
Mess tip
Tape a plastic tablecloth or old newspaper to the table before you start. Washable paint wipes off most surfaces, but not wood.
13. Felt Airplane Plushie
What it is A soft airplane sewn from two felt shapes stuffed with fiberfill.
Why it works It makes a safe toy for younger kids and a good first sewing project for older ones.
How to get it Cut two matching plane shapes about 8 inches (20 cm) long from felt. Sew around the edge with a blanket stitch and leave a gap to stuff. Close the gap and add button windows.
14. Sock Airplane Pillow
What it is A stuffed airplane made from a long sock, with felt wings stitched to the sides.
Why it works It uses a single sock and a few stitches, so it suits a first sewing class.
How to get it Fill a clean crew sock with fiberfill and tie off the open end. Stitch on two felt wings and a tail. Add button eyes or windows for a cockpit look.
15. Pipe Cleaner Airplane
What it is A bendable plane shaped from chenille stems, with a twisted body and looped wings.
Why it works It is a quiet craft that works on a car ride or in a waiting room.
How to get it Twist two pipe cleaners together for the fuselage. Wrap a third around the middle for wings and bend the ends up. Add beads for windows.
16. Foam Glider Plane
What it is A glider cut from craft foam with a weighted nose clip, around 10 inches (25 cm) long.
Why it works It flies better than paper in a breeze and survives crashes.
How to get it Cut a fuselage and a wing from 2 mm foam and slot them together. Add a paperclip to the nose for balance. Test it in a hallway and bend the tail to adjust.
17. Straw and Cardstock Glider
What it is A hoop glider with a straw body and a large paper ring at each end.
Why it works It looks odd but flies surprisingly far, which surprises kids.
How to get it Cut two strips of cardstock, one 1 by 6 inches (2.5 by 15 cm) and one 1 by 4 inches (2.5 by 10 cm). Tape each into a loop and attach to the straw ends. Launch it with the small ring forward.
18. Rubber Band Powered Plane
What it is A small plane with a twisted rubber band that spins a propeller for a short flight.
Why it works It teaches kids how stored energy turns into thrust.
How to get it Buy a balsa kit for around $5 and glue it together with white glue. Twist the rubber band about 50 times before each flight. Launch it gently indoors or in a yard.
19. Paper Cup Helicopter Plane
What it is A cup body with paper wings and a spinning propeller attached to the base.
Why it works The cup gives a roomy body that kids can decorate or even use as a pencil holder.
How to get it Cut two slits in an upside-down cup and slide paper wings through. Attach a propeller to the base with a brad. Draw a window row on the side.
20. Paper Bag Puppet Pilot
What it is A puppet made from a paper lunch bag with a drawn pilot face, goggles and a felt cap.
Why it works Puppets turn a craft into a story, so the play continues after the glue dries.
How to get it Draw a face on the bag flap and glue on paper goggles. Cut a cap from felt and attach it. Add a paper scarf for a vintage look.
21. Painted Rock Airplanes
What it is Smooth stones painted with a plane body, wings and a cockpit window.
Why it works They work as paperweights, garden decor or hidden treasures for a rock hunt.
How to get it Wash and dry flat stones. Paint a base coat, then add wings and windows with a fine brush or paint pen. Seal with a clear spray for outdoor use.
22. Sponge Painting Clouds and Planes
What it is A painting made with sponge stamps cut into airplane and cloud shapes.
Why it works Stamping gives young kids repeatable results, so the picture looks finished.
How to get it Cut a cloud and an airplane shape from a kitchen sponge. Dip each into washable paint and press on blue paper. Let the sky dry before adding details.
23. Paper Chain Banner Airplanes
What it is A garland of folded paper planes strung on yarn, usually 12 to 20 planes long.
Why it works It decorates a room cheaply and uses leftover paper.
How to get it Fold or trace small plane shapes from cardstock. Punch a hole in each and thread them on yarn. Hang the banner above a bed or across a party table.
24. Cardstock Airplane Mobile
What it is A mobile with five or six flat planes and clouds hung from a hoop or stick.
Why it works It adds motion to a room and works as a nursery or classroom piece.
How to get it Cut planes and clouds from cardstock and paint both sides. Tie each to a thread of different length and attach to an embroidery hoop. Hang it where air moves gently.
25. Coffee Filter Sunset Sky
What it is A round coffee filter colored with washable markers, sprayed with water so the colors bleed into a sunset, with a black airplane silhouette on top.
Why it works The color bleed looks like magic to kids and takes no skill.
How to get it Draw stripes of orange, pink and purple on a flat filter. Mist it with a spray bottle and let it dry for an hour. Glue on a cardstock plane silhouette and mount it on black paper.
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About the Author
Hanna writes AeroCorner's aviation-lifestyle and decor guides, turning a love of flight into ideas for your home, celebrations, and gift lists.