How to Make a Rubber Band Airplane Using Recycled Materials

Remove the cereal bag from inside of the cardboard cereal box. Place the cereal box horizontally on a table. Cut a 2-inch by 5-inch rectangle from the box with a ruler and utility knife. Pull the cut cardboard out of the box and place it aside.

Draw a 1-inch by 1-inch square on the box Cut out the square. Pull the cut cardboard square out of the box and place it aside. Recycle the rest of the cereal box.

Place a sheet of newspaper on a work surface. Place the two cut cardboard pieces on the newspaper; the cut rectangle to your left and the cut square to your right.

Tape the loop at one end of the rubber band to your center of the cardboard rectangle with a piece of masking tape. Tape the loop at the other end of the rubber band to the center of the cardboard square with a strip of masking tape.

Fold a piece of origami paper into an airplane in the following manner: Fold the paper's left side over the right side and smooth the crease down. Unfold the paper. Fold the upper, left corner to the center of the paper and smooth the crease down. Fold the upper, right corner to the center of the paper and smooth the crease down.

Turn the paper over. Fold the left side of the paper over to the right side and smooth the crease down. Place a dab of modeling clay on the tip of the airplane to add stability.

Place a dab of gallery wax on the center of the cardboard square. Hold the paper airplane you have made by the pointed end. Press the other end of the airplane against the wax on the cardboard square.

Grip the edge of the cardboard square in your right hand so that the tip of the airplane is facing away from you. Place the cardboard rectangle against back of your other hand.

Pull back on the cardboard square to stretch the rubber band. Aim the point of the airplane toward a wall or, if outside, at a bush or tree. Release the square to shoot the airplane.