Paper Airplane Hangers Game: A Fun Indoor Activity for Kids

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Looking for a fun rainy day activity or a boredom buster for a hot summer afternoon? This paper airplane hanger game is the perfect way to keep kids entertained using just a few household supplies. It combines creativity, competition, and a bit of physics — all while getting kids moving and having a blast!

And yes — we know it’s a clever play on words! These hangers are more like airplane targets than a hangar where planes are stored, but we think that makes it even more fun.

What You Need for This Activity

Paper (for making airplanes)
3 wire hangers
String or ribbon (to connect the hangers)
A doorframe or curtain rod for hanging
Markers or paper to label point values

How to Set Up the Paper Airplane Hanger Game

Make Your Paper Airplanes: Have each child fold a few paper airplanes. Encourage them to try different styles to see which flies best!

Prepare the Hanger Target:

Bend three wire hangers open to make larger targets.
Connect them together vertically using string, ribbon, or by looping the hangers through one another.
Hang the top hanger from a doorframe or ledge.

Assign Point Values:

Top hanger = 25 points (hardest)
Middle hanger = 10 points
Bottom hanger = 5 points (easiest)
Use paper labels or markers to note point values on or near each hanger.

Let the Games Begin! Kids take turns flying their paper airplanes and trying to get them through the hangers. Add up points to see who gets the highest score!

You can play rounds, do trick shot challenges, or even hold a paper airplane tournament.

The Science of Flight

Paper airplanes may look simple, but they’re a great way to learn about real flight!

Real airplanes fly because of four key forces: lift, drag, thrust, and gravity. Paper airplanes mimic these principles on a small scale. When you throw a paper plane, your arm provides the thrust, the plane’s shape creates lift, and drag and gravity work to slow and pull it down.

Want to dig deeper into these concepts? Be sure to check out our full Paper Airplane Science Experiment post where kids can test different designs, measure distance, and learn the physics of flight!

Tips for Better Flying

Fold sharply and evenly.
Adjust wings for balance.
Use lightweight paper.
Try adding small paperclips to the nose for more distance.

Want more ideas? Try different designs like darts, gliders, or loopers! We love using the book “Wings” by Peter Clemens for step-by-step instructions using regular paper — not just tear-out templates. It’s an oldie but a goodie and lets you recreate designs over and over.

Learning Benefits of The Paper Airplane Hanger Game

This isn’t just play — it’s STEAM learning in disguise!

Science: Learn about flight, aerodynamics, and gravity.
Technology/Engineering: Experiment with designs and modifications.
Math: Add up scores, compare distances, assign different point values.
Art: Decorate airplanes with colors, patterns, or themes.

Variations to Try

Glow-in-the-dark version: Use glow sticks or black lights.
Timed challenge: Who can score the most points in 60 seconds?
Obstacle course: Add a fan or tunnel to fly through before reaching the hangers.

Save This Idea!

Pin this paper airplane hanger game or bookmark it for your next rainy day, camp day, or homeschool brain break.

Want more paper STEM fun? Check out:

Happy flying!

6 Comments

Oh my word…I love this! My son and I love making paper airplanes (well, he loves getting me to make them, then he decorates and flies them). Having hangers to fly them through would be a kick in the pants!!

What a great idea! My kids would love this! Now I just need to find some wire hangers…all we seem to have around here is plastic:)

My oldest would love this! You’ve heard “If you give a mouse a cookie?” The joke between him and his one teacher was “If you give Luke a piece of paper…” He was her best recycling police – he could make all the planes he wanted, only he had to use paper from the recycle bin.

What a great way to provide a target to aim for with a household item!

Awesome! My boys are both into paper airplanes right now and we had a blast playing Airplane Golf recently, but this would be perfect to play inside when it’s too hot to spend a lot of time outdoors.

What a fun way to make a game with your paper airplane play! This is such a simple and fun idea! Thanks so much for sharing, and taking part in our 100 Days of Play Blog Hop! I am playing catch up… your post has been linked and pinned, and will be sharing it over at SunScholars on the 29th. Thanks for joining in the fun!!