National Paper Airplane Day is on Wednesday, May 26, 2027, and it falls on May 26 every year. All you need is a sheet of paper, a few folds and some open space. It’s one of the simplest ways to explore the science of flight.
When Is National Paper Airplane Day?
It’s always May 26. It’s an unofficial day that’s popular with schools, libraries and science centers. Space Center Houston, for example, marks it with flight activities.
Who Started National Paper Airplane Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Background: the world record
The current Guinness World Record for the farthest flight by a paper aircraft is 98.43 meters, or 322 feet 11 inches. It was set by Liu Liwen of China, with a support team, in Shanghai on December 28, 2025.
That’s longer than a football field measured from goal line to goal line, which is 300 feet.
How Do Paper Airplanes Fly?
The same four forces act on a paper plane as on a jetliner, NASA explains. Weight pulls it down, and lift, mostly from the wings, pushes it up. Drag is the air resisting its motion, while thrust moves it forward.
A paper airplane has no engine, so it’s a glider. Your throw provides the thrust. After that, lift and drag work against weight as it glides down. NASA calls paper airplanes “the most obvious example” of this kind of unpowered flight.
That’s why the day is a favorite in classrooms. Kids can change one thing, like wing shape or a paper clip on the nose, and see what happens.
How to Celebrate National Paper Airplane Day
- Fold a classic dart: it’s fast and flies straight, great for distance.
- Try a glider: wider wings give more lift and longer, slower flights.
- Make a ring-wing glider: a paper loop on a straw flies surprisingly far; NASA has instructions.
- Run an experiment: test one change at a time, such as a paper clip on the nose, and record the distance.
- Hold a contest: award prizes for longest distance, longest time aloft and best design.
- Add flaps: fold small tabs on the back of the wings and see how they change the flight path.
- Use scrap paper: fold old flyers or printouts, then recycle them afterward.
- Fly safely: never aim at people’s faces, and fly indoors in a hallway or gym on windy days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper is best for paper airplanes?
Standard printer paper works well. It’s light enough to glide but stiff enough to hold folds. Very thin paper can flutter.
Why does my paper airplane nosedive?
The nose may be too heavy or the wings bent down. Bend the back edges of the wings up slightly and throw more gently.
What is the paper airplane distance record?
Guinness lists 98.43 meters (322 feet 11 inches), set in Shanghai, China, in December 2025.