How to Make an Airplane With Toothpicks That Flies

Toothpicks can be handy tools for many things besides dental hygiene. You can use toothpicks (along with a few other household items) to construct a model airplane that actually flies. You can build an airplane from toothpicks in under an hour.

Build the wing. Take three toothpicks and cut one in half. Glue the toothpicks together, laying the two long toothpicks horizontally and the ones that were cut in half vertically on top of the end of the long toothpicks. The result should be a rectangle shape. Wait 30 minutes for the glue to dry, then cover the wing with a thin sheet of aluminum foil; avoid crumpling.

Build the horizontal stabilizer (the horizontal portion of the tail). Cut 1/2 inch off of two toothpicks. Cut another toothpick in half. Glue the toothpicks together, laying the two long toothpicks horizontally and the ones that were cut in half vertically, on top of the end of the long toothpicks. The result should be a slightly rectangular, almost square shape. Wait 30 minutes for the glue to dry, then cover with foil as in Step 1.

Create the vertical stabilizer (the vertical part of the tail) in exactly the same way as the horizontal stabilizer in Step 2.

Build the fuselage (body) in exactly the same way as the wing in Step 1.

Attach the wing on top of the fuselage with glue, slightly toward the front end. Glue the vertical stabilizer to the top of the fuselage (vertically, of course), 1/4 inch forward of the back end. Apply glue to the back end of the horizontal stabilizer, make a slit in the foil at the back of the fuselage and insert the horizontal stabilizer.

Wait an hour for the glue to dry, then gently apply an extra layer of foil for stability.

Take the aircraft outside and release it like you would a paper airplane. It should fly straight and level. If it does not, make minor adjustments to the foil.