This year, get your kid a smartphone-controlled paper airplane

If you’re thinking of gifting a drone this year, you’re so 2017. It’s time to get with it and stock up on remote-controlled paper airplanes instead. There’s something about making your own plane and watching it soar through the air that got us in trouble with countless authority figures while growing up, and thanks to PowerUp, technology has finally advanced to the point where we can turn any paper airplane into a remote-piloted drone.

The PowerUp X FPV Video Paper Airplane Kit raised over $490,000 on Kickstarter due to it being the coolest freaking paper airplane ever. It comes with four premium printed template sheets, allowing you to construct multiple different airplane designs. Then you simply attach the included propellers and wide-angle camera and send your plane into the sky, recording amazing footage as it cuts through the air at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

You can control it easily via a smartphone app, where you can also watch a live stream of the footage it captures. It also has stabilization and crash detection tools built-in, so even if you’ve never flown a drone before, you’ll be able to pilot your paper airplane in minutes. Also, the X FPV features a gamepad control mode, so you can use a standard console-style controller to fly your creation if that’s a more comfortable fit for your piloting skills. Normally, the X FPV retails for $139.99, but Mashable readers can take 28% off and get one for $99.95 during this sale.

If you’re looking for a more casual drone experience, PowerUp also offers the 3.0 Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane Kit. Check it out:

This kit allows you to strap a tiny electronic motor to virtually any paper airplane you can fold, with several included design templates for beginner and advanced pilots. The Bluetooth-enabled motor module connects to your smartphone, letting you fly your paper airplane via simple touchscreen controls with pinpoint accuracy at up to 5 mph and a range of up to 55 meters, so it’s perfect for beginners or seasoned hobbyists who just want to see what crazy paper contraption they can keep in the air. 

The POWERUP 3.0 paper airplane kit usually sells for $49.95, but Mashable readers can take advantage of a 13% discount and get one on sale for $42.99.