DIY Bouncy Bugs
May 8, 2012
A paper insect comes to life when it is attached to some flexible wire and bounces from a stick. This toy can be assembled in just a few steps and is made easy with a printable coloring page. My kids had a little too much fun “bugging” each other with their insects, so you may want to take the finished product outdoors. This is my latest craft contribution for Bloesem Kids, which is always an inspirational trove of beautiful kids crafts like this mini viewfinder!
You will need:
printout or drawing of insect
long wooden dowl
washi or other colored tape
copper jewelry wire, medium/light thickness
clear tape
popsicle stick
spray paint (optional)
Step 1: Draw a favorite insect (butterfly, dragonfly, ladybug, etc.) or print out from template. Click to download the Butterfly (PDF) or Dragonfly (PDF). Color and cut out. I like how Dax petered out halfway with his green dragonfly and called it quits to play with Legos instead.
Optional step: Spray paint dowl and let dry. I used a lime green color.
Step 2: Cut off an 18″ piece of wire.
Step 3: Poke a small hole about 1/4″ down from the top of the butterfly/dragonfly head. Thread wire through hole and tape down.
Step 4: Tape a popsicle stick to the backside of paper insect to weigh it down. The butterfly body is shorter, so using scissors, cut off a 1.5″ piece from a popsicle stick and tape to backside. Fold insect wings up along popsicle stick. Adjust the wire by bending it where it meets the top of insect.
Step 5: Wrap wire end near the end tip of dowl and secure with washi tape.
8 Comments
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We just spent the morning at the Nature Museum and my little one loved the butterflies! My older one would love this project…win win for both :). (have you been yet? – your boys may like it too)
You are the coolest. These are awesome! I want a whole row of them.
Thank you so much for this post. I want to let you know that I posted a link to your blog in CBH Digital Scrapbooking Freebies (please, notice the new url for my blog), under the Page 4 post on May. 09, 2012. Thanks again.
So creative and simple! I’m adding some of your crafts to our summer to-do list. The kids will love them!
cute, my girls would love making these, and most likely proceed to poke each other’s eyes out with them.
Will definitely try…
i absolutely love this!!! so precious!
xo TJ
AMAZING post:) Your blog is great and I will happily follow.
If you want some décor inspiration from Sweden, check out my blog:)
Have an awesome week.
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)
Such a great kids project!