How to Make a Paper Football + STEM Physics Activity

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Football season is here! Even if you’re not a sports fan, kids love the excitement of the season. A simple paper football game is the perfect way to join in the fun—it’s easy to make, quick to play, and sneaks in learning, too. In this post, I’ll show you how to make a paper football step by step. Plus, I’ll show you a fun goal you can build easily with cups and sticks. This makes a great indoor game for everyday play and a perfect activity for Super Bowl week.

How to Make a Paper Football

The first part of any paper football game is making your football. This classic activity has been around for decades, and it only takes a sheet of paper.

What You’ll Need for the Football: A rectangle piece of paper (regular printer paper or notebook paper works perfectly)

Watch My Video Instructions:

Folding Instructions:

You can use the full sheet of paper or cut it in half lengthwise with scissors.
Fold the strip in half lengthwise twice so it’s long and skinny.
Next fold the whole strip in half downwards. Unfold that and fold across at that fold mark.
Fold and wrap the strip into a triangle shape. Watch my video for full visual instructions!
Tuck in the flap to the little pocket edge lock it in place.
Optional- Draw football laces.

How to Play the Paper Football Game

Once you’ve made your paper football, it’s time to play!

Classic Desk Football Rules

Place your football at one end of a table.
Flick it with your finger toward the other side.
If the football lands hanging over the edge without falling, it’s a touchdown (6 points)!
One player can also make “goalposts” with their hands putting their thumbs together, and the other flicks the football through for a field goal (3 points). Or make our homemade goal posts for extra fun! See below how we made it.

Football Field Game Board

For even more fun, make a football field game board with masking tape on your table. Flip a coin to see who goes first.

Start in one end zone.
Start with a kickoff. Flick your football down the field.
If it lands in the opposite end zone, that’s a touchdown.
Flick it through the goalpost for an extra point.

Paper Football STEM & Physics Challenge

Turn your paper football game into a STEM experiment!

Build Your Own Goal Posts

Use straws, popsicle or craft sticks, pipe cleaners, or LEGO to build your uprights. See mine below!
Test your design by flicking paper footballs through it on a flat surface.

Explore the Physics

Force: A harder flick = more distance.
Angle: Low angles travel farther, high angles arc higher.
Trajectory: The path of motion—straight vs. curved.
Friction: Surfaces change how far it slides (smooth vs. rough).
Gravity: No matter what, the football comes down eventually.

Super Easy Popsicle Stick End Zone Goalpost

Supplies

4 popsicle sticks
1 cup (paper or plastic)
Tape or hot glue if you want it sturdier)

How to make it

Tape or glue the popsicle sticks into a u-shape to make the shape of the goal post.
Make a slit in the bottom side of a paper cup and insert it into the bottom of the cup. Secure with tape or glue.
Turn the cup upside down and place it at the end of the table.

That’s it. Surprisingly stable.

Watch it here:

How to Use the End Zone in the Game

Add this right into your accuracy challenge:

Flick the paper football
If it:
- goes between the goalposts → touchdown
- hits the post → partial points
- misses → no score

Scoring ideas

Touchdown = 7 points
Between cups = 5 points
Hit post = 3 points

Easy math tie-in.

Super Bowl Bonus: Easy Game-Day Activity for Kids

If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or watching the game at home, this paper football game is an easy way to keep kids busy during halftime or breaks.

Because it uses simple supplies and no printables, kids can play independently while adults enjoy the game.

Why Paper Football Is a Great Indoor Game

No screens
No prep
Builds coordination and focus
Encourages friendly competition
Easy for mixed ages

It’s simple play with a lot of staying power.

This is one of those classic activities that never goes out of style. Try it out with your kids or students this season, and let me know which version of the game they loved most!

How to Make a Paper Football + STEM Physics Activity