Building paper cars with your kids is a fun project for spending time together. The techniques to be used are quite simple and anyone can learn them; they are therefore an adequate pastime even for very young children, as long as they are supervised.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Making an Origami Machine
Step 1. Use a square sheet of paper
If you don't have origami paper, bring the corner of a plain sheet to the opposite side until it forms a triangle, then cut out the remaining part; you will be left with a square piece of paper. If you are using origami paper, place it on a table with the back side up.
Step 2. Fold the top edge down until it overlaps with the bottom edge
Make a crease in the center of the piece of paper, then unfold it back to its original position.
Step 3. Mentally divide the two halves into thirds
Fold the top third down. This process is called "bending upstream", because the shape resembles one. Then bring the lower third up, resulting in a "valley fold" (because you get the shape of a valley).
The "upstream" and "downstream" folds are opposite each other and are two of the most basic folding techniques
Step 4. Fold the corners of each of the two wings
Bring the lower left corner of the upper wing to the top of the paper, creating a triangle; go over the fold. Do the same with the lower right corner of the same wing, only bringing it up to the left. Repeat the process for the upper corners of the lower wing, so that the two halves are mirrored.
Step 5. Fold the tips of the triangles
Fold the top tips down and the bottom tips up. Doing so will round the corners to create the wheels.
Step 6. Fold the entire sheet in half, along the first crease you made
You have thus obtained the car body.
Step 7. Find the top right corner of the paper
Push it down to create a "pocket", which will form the trunk of the car. A "pocket" fold is the composition of an "upstream" fold with two "flat" folds. The latter simply unfold the card, returning it to its previous state.
Step 8. Examine the front half of the paper car
This section will become the windshield. Use scissors to make a small cut where you intend to place the "glass". Cut to the right and slightly at an angle, so that the windshield is tilted a little, like in a real car.
Step 9. Create the hood
Push the piece you cut down until it fits into the cut you made earlier.
Step 10. Complete the car
You can design the windows if you want, and are free to add additional details such as lights and doors.
Method 2 of 2: Use letter paper
Step 1. Draw three rectangles
Place a sheet of paper on the table horizontally, with the long side towards you. Then draw three equal rectangles in the center of the page, leaving no spaces between them. Use a ruler to draw straight lines.
You will need to figure out the dimensions by eye. But make sure you have 2.5 to 5 cm of space between the rectangles and the edges of the paper
Step 2. Increase the height of the center rectangle
Draw lines from the top corners of the center rectangle, towards the top edge of the paper. Do the same for the two bottom corners, but heading downwards. Connect the top and bottom lines to form two squares.
There is no problem if the edges of the squares are along the edges of the paper
Step 3. Draw rectangular tabs
Think about the tabs on a folder. Place them along the top and bottom edges of the outer rectangles, making sure there is some space between the short sides of the tabs and the corners of the rectangles. You will need these elements to glue the toy car.
Step 4. Draw the wheels
Draw a circle in the top left and bottom left corners of the first rectangle, then do the same for the top right and bottom right corners of the last, making sure to draw them all the same size. These will become the wheels of the car.
Step 5. Draw the details of the car
The central rectangle is the roof, the first and last are the sides and the bumpers, while the two central squares represent the hood and the trunk. You can add as many details as you like.
Step 6. Cut out and fold the toy car
Cut carefully following the edges of the car, without damaging the tabs. Fold the hood and trunk first, then the two sides. Glue the tabs to the hood and trunk to keep the paper car in shape.
