Fantastic Press-Out Flying Airplanes: Includes 18 Flying Models (Dover Kids Activity Books)

My grandchild enjoys this activity.

I got this for my six-year old grandson who loves models, and paper airplanes-- to keep him busy over summer break from school and keep up his reading skills. Each paper model has several short paragraphs about the airplane (facts, specs, history) and reasonably-easy directions that a six-year old can handle with a some guidance. Each day, he gets to pick a model from the book as long as he reads the text about the airplane aloud. Punching out the press-outs can be a little tricky, but is also good exercise in fine motor skills. Once put together, the planes actually fly reasonable well - although don't expect them to fly as good as a traditional paper airplane. As an adult, I also am enjoying helping him with these models and have learned some things about airplanes as well.

This book is super for kids to do, with our without parents depending on age, but the planes don't fly much at all. We've made 3 or 4 so far and they just don't fly. The artwork is beautiful and they are fun to build though. We might turn ours into a mobile type display for the kid's room. As we do more planes maybe we'll have better luck and I'll update the review if so. Fun to do - just don't expect awesome flight. :)

My little boys each got a paper airplane set for the holidays. This one was pretty disappointing as it requires glue and quite a bit of adult support.

I have yet to find a really great paper airplane book. Most are dedicated to the folded angular kind you made in school that don't resemble real planes. A few like this one are modeled on real airplanes. Plus: No cutting required, nicely perforated. Simple to put together (we use super glue and it worked great on the paper. All the planes can be assembled in about 10 minutes. Up to date with even the solar Global Flyer represented. Very colorful with accurate proportions. Good historical variety and nice info on the planes these are modeled after. Minus: The simplistic construction method is identical for all the planes. They are essentially very two-dimensional models, with the fuselages all being flat, with a wing and tail glued in at right angles. Once you've done a couple, well, it's all basically the same whether it's an ancient Bleriot wood and wire and fabric pioneer, or a giant Airbus two decker jet liner. No biplane or triplane? A lot of missed opportunities here. These are not good flyers. Despite the folded up paper meant to be nose weights, the models are hopelessly tail heavy. Get a bunch of paper clips for nose weights. I have a five year old girl and a seven year old boy. They had a good time with these. Mom and dad got a bit bored however. The 7 yr old was able to put them together alone after the first couple. Coming from a wonderful paper boat book by Jerry Roberts with models that are very 3 dimensional and sculptural that both the kids and the older folks loved, and that actually float, this was a bit of a let-down.

g/g/son loved it.

The five year old twin boys loved their planes.