OT Activity of the Day:
Paper Airplanes
Target Age Range: 4 and up
Paper airplanes are fun. Kids love making them and then love seeing how far they can fly. Paper folding is a skill tested early in kids (2-3 years of age) and is an indicator of visual motor abilities. For children who struggle to accurately line up the edges, or have a hard time duplicating what they are seeing, making a paper airplane is great practice because there is so much wiggle room, less pressure, and it's fun.
I have used this technique often in therapy and it's always a hit. For the younger kids, it's mostly about simply copying what they see, as best they can, and producing creases. For the older kids, I may print off paper airplane directions and have them sequence through the more challenging steps. I have also used paper that I have cut holes in, or hula hoops, hung them up and then challenge the kids to fly their airplanes through the holes for different point values.
Enjoy!