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Clothespin Airplanes - DIY Airplane Craft for Kids | Easy Build

Want to make your own airplane that really flies? You can! Use a clothespin and some craft sticks to build a plane that actually soars through the air. Paint it any way you want - make it your favorite colors and add fun designs that show off your creativity. When you're done building and decorating, zoom it around the room and watch it fly! This hands-on project combines building skills with artistic expression, perfect for young aviators ready to take off on their next creative adventure.

10-20 minutes Ages 3-10 4 steps may need help

About This Project

A 10–20 minutes craft for ages 3–10, using supplies you likely already have — Scissors, White Glue, and Clothespins.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:

DIY Flying Toys
Transportation Crafts
Building Projects
Airplane Adventures

Project Tags

airport airplane flight fine motor skills budget friendly transportation handmade toys toys

1
Find Supplies

Do you have everything you need?

Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.

00:00

Scissors
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

White Glue
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Clothespins
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Popsicle Sticks
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Paint Pens
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
2
Make Clothespin Airplanes

Messy Mode

Take apart your clothespin

Remove the spring from your clothespin to make it easier to color your clothespin. You can ask an adult for help with this step.

Cut the tail

To make the tail of our airplane, we'll need to cut one popsicle stick in half. This can be tricky! Ask an adult for help.

Cut the tail of your airplane

To make both sides of your tail even ask an adult to help you cut the rounded edge off one half of popsicle stick.

Color your airplane

Use paint markers to color the body, wings, and tail of your airplane. If you don't have paint markers, you can use regular paint or markers. Use your favorite colors and get creative! Make sure to protect the table you're working on. Paint markers dry fast, but they can still leave paint behind. We set ours on a notebook, but a paper plate or paper towel would work, too!

Add details

Make your airplane really soar with fun details. You can add stripes, chevrons, numbers, or anything you like!

Reassamble your clothespin

Ask an adult to help you reassemble your clothespin.

Glue on the bottom wing

To glue on the bottom wing, place a dab of glue on the clothespin right by the spring. Gently set one painted popsicle stick on top, then flip it over. Make sure it's nice and centered.

Glue on the top wing

Repeat the process for the top wing. Place a dab of glue on top of the clothespin, then add the second popsicle stick, lining it up with the bottom wing.

Glue on the tail

Finally, glue on the tail of your airplane. Let it dry, and then you're ready to fly!

Your creative buddy says:

"Are you as excited to make this as I am?"

Step 1: Take apart your clothespin

May need grown-up help

Remove the spring from your clothespin to make it easier to color your clothespin. You can ask an adult for help with this step.

Step 2: Cut the tail

SHARP! Grown-up required May need grown-up help

To make the tail of our airplane, we'll need to cut one popsicle stick in half. This can be tricky! Ask an adult for help.

Step 3: Cut the tail of your airplane

SHARP! Grown-up required May need grown-up help

To make both sides of your tail even ask an adult to help you cut the rounded edge off one half of popsicle stick.

Step 4: Color your airplane

Use paint markers to color the body, wings, and tail of your airplane. If you don't have paint markers, you can use regular paint or markers. Use your favorite colors and get creative! Make sure to protect the table you're working on. Paint markers dry fast, but they can still leave paint behind. We set ours on a notebook, but a paper plate or paper towel would work, too!

Step 5: Add details

Make your airplane really soar with fun details. You can add stripes, chevrons, numbers, or anything you like!

Step 6: Reassamble your clothespin

May need grown-up help

Ask an adult to help you reassemble your clothespin.

Step 7: Glue on the bottom wing

To glue on the bottom wing, place a dab of glue on the clothespin right by the spring. Gently set one painted popsicle stick on top, then flip it over. Make sure it's nice and centered.

Step 8: Glue on the top wing

Repeat the process for the top wing. Place a dab of glue on top of the clothespin, then add the second popsicle stick, lining it up with the bottom wing.

Step 9: Glue on the tail

Finally, glue on the tail of your airplane. Let it dry, and then you're ready to fly!
3
Clean up
Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.
Tidy up our space

Pick up anything that fell on the floor.

Wipe up any spills on the table.

Put your completed project somewhere safe!

Throw away all your trash and recycling.
Put away our supplies

Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

Put away white glue. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Close glue lids.

Put away clothespins. Where they belong:

Put away popsicle sticks. Where they belong:

Put away paint pens. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Replace paint marker caps. You'll know they're on tight if you hear them click!

Put away scissors. Where they belong:
Update what we have left

Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.

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4
Save

Your creative buddy says:

"Way to stick with it!"

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About the Author

GlueStick

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More projects by this author

Clothespin Airplanes - DIY Airplane Craft for Kids | Easy Build

About This Project

Project Tags

Find Supplies

Make Clothespin Airplanes

Step 1: Take apart your clothespin

Step 2: Cut the tail

Step 3: Cut the tail of your airplane

Step 4: Color your airplane

Step 5: Add details

Step 6: Reassamble your clothespin

Step 7: Glue on the bottom wing

Step 8: Glue on the top wing

Step 9: Glue on the tail

Clean up

Tidy up our space

Put away our supplies

Update what we have left

Save

Made something awesome? Keep going.

Got leftover supplies? Try these ideas!

More projects that are great for National Aviation Day

More projects from the Toy Store area of the map

Upcycle supplies you already have in a flash

About the Author

GlueStick