Tuesday, 15 May 2012 by Irene Hoofs

Bouncy Bugs by by Jennifer Kirk from Ambrosia Creative

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 enjoyed "bugging" one another with their insects, so you may want to take the finished product outdoors!

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)

Link for downloads:
Butterfly (PDF)
Dragonfly (PDF)

Step 1:
Draw a favorite insect (butterfly, dragonfly, ladybug, etc.) or print out from template. Color and cut out.
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. Your bug is now ready to "fly"!