How to Make a Blimp out of Paper & a Balloon
- 1). Cut a 7-inch square from a sheet of paper, then cut a 2-inch square out of each corner of the square to form a cross. The center of the resulting cross should be a 3-inch square, with arms 2 inches long extending from each side.
- 2). Fold one of the arms of the cross in toward the center to create a 2-inch tab, then fold the tab in half by folding its edge back out to create a Z-shape fold. Pull the tab lightly until the folds are at right angles to create a vertical wall with a horizontal tab extending from the top. Repeat with the other three arms of the cross.
- 3). Tape the vertical walls together at three of the four corners, leaving one open as a place to insert paper clips. The result should be a square "cabin" with a floor 3 inches by 3 inches, walls 1 inch high, and 1-inch tabs extending out from the walls.
- 4). Tape the four horizontal tabs to the side of the balloon and turn the balloon so that the cabin is on the bottom and the balloon's knot is at the back.
- 5). Cut out four right triangles with a 2-inch base and 3-inch height. Fold the long edges to create a tab about 1/4 inch wide running along the hypotenuse of each triangle. Tape the triangles to the knot end of the balloon at 90-degree intervals with their points forward, to create the blimp's tail fins.
- 6). Insert paper clips one by one into the cabin until the weight in the cabin equals the lift caused by the helium. When these forces balance out, the blimp should float in place.