Action Toys 1

8/3/2019 Action Toys 1

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Contents

Introduction 7Throbbing pulse meterRunning matchsticksStretching sausage dogKissing doves 11Laughing man 12Tapping typewriterWhirling sails 15Snapping dog 16Circling serpent 19Rocking see-saw 22Returning roller 24Leaping frog 27Flapping bird 31Shooting rocket 38Listening dog 41Galloping racehorseClimbing spider 49Jumping Jack 50Battling boxers 54Finger puppets: 58GirlBoyOld womanOld manCrownWizard's hatNightcapTheatre

99 10

13

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6567707378

Bouncing bunnyWriggling snakeJack-in-the-boxSwinging acrobatKicking footballerGoalie 82Football pitch 86Peek-a-boo mouse

Introduction

88

This book begins by showing you a few things you canmake in just a minute or two - and ends with instructionsfor making more advanced models, some of which youcould easily give away as presents, Because they are alltoys which move in some way, you will have both thepleasure of making them and the pleasure of makingthem 'come to life'.The projects here are both old and new, and from allover the world. For example, the footballers are new andwork on a principle found in many modem pop-upbooks; whereas the fiapping bird and leaping frog comefrom ancient Japan and are made using origami tech-niques. The ever-so-simple tapping typewriter comesfrom Venezuela in South America, and the mechanismfor the battling boxers can be found in folk toys fromRussia and Eastern Europe.Detailed step-by-step instructions are given for eachtoy but don't be afraid to try out your own ideas andvariations. In that way you can create something quiteunique and personal to you. For example, the battlingboxer mechanism can be used to activate all kinds offigures. So, just use your imagination!Each project starts with a list of the things you willneed. They are mostly everyday tools and materialswhich you can probably find at home or at school. But doremember that cutting instruments can be very sharp. Ifyou are using a craft knife, do your cutting-out on a pieceof old board so that you don't injure yourself or scratchany surface. Always keep your tools in a safe place,


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referably in a box with a lid, and make ~ure that they are~ut of the reach of small brothers a~d sisters, .Finally it remains for me to wish you well IIIyou~activities and to thank Dave Brill, Larry Hart and ThokiYenn for their ideas.

Throbbing pulse meterYou will need: used matchstick

drawing pin1 Carefullypush the end ofa matchstick onto the point ofa drawing pin.

2 Stand it on your wrist, where you can feel your pulse.If you've found the right spot, the matchstick shouldswing, slightly but rhythmically, in time with your heart-beat.

Running matchsticksYou will need: two used matchstickstable knife1 Trim the endof one matchstickto make it chisel-edged.


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2 Cut a small slit in the end of the other matchstick.

3 Fit the two matchsticks together to form an upside-down 'V' shape. Think of this as a pair of legs.

4 First, hang the legs over the edge of a table knife;then hold the knife above a table so that the 'feet' justtouch the surface (keep your hand free: don't let it reston the table). The natural, slight tremor of your handshould make the matchsticks run rapidly along the blade.-:r i f = -J . . . . r , . . . - - - - . _ _Stretching sausage dogYou will need: empty matchbox

colouring materials1 Open up a matchbox as far as it will go, and paint ordraw the picture of a long, thin dog on the bottom - the

dog's .head, front legsand long thin body on the inner tray.his tall and back legs Onthe outer as shown.

~ Push the two halves together so that your box lookshke the ~bove, and ask your friends to guess what type ofdog you ve drawn.3 Then surprisethem by openingthe matchbox out-it's a sausage dog!Kissing dovesYou will need: empty matchboxcolouring materials1 This timehold the box open as ~far as i t w i ll go and ~paint or draw two ~.doves facing eachother. J E J2 Close the box until thebirds come together and kiss. ...---_ _,.-----~___,Now try to think how you ~could use a matchbox . .to make other moving ~~pictures, .. --=-~


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Laughing manYou will need: egg shell

sticky tapepapermodelling clay or similarcolouring materials

1 Find an egg shell which is not crushed but fairlyneatly broken in two. Rinse it under the tap and dry itthoroughly.2 Place a nut-sized piece of modellingclay, or something similar, into thelarger half of the shell; carefully pressand spread the edges to fix it to theinside at the bottom.

3 Fit the two parts of the shell together asneatly as you can. Use small pieces ofsticky tape to hold them together.

4 Glue a 1.5 x 15cmstrip of paper ...

5 ... and wrap it carefully around the egg so that youhide the join between the two points. Ifyou fold back the

comers of the paperit will look rather likean old-fashionedcollar.

6 Paint a face with abig smiling mouth -to make a littlebald-headed man.

7 Stand him on atable and push himwith your finger.He will rock backand forth, as if helplesswith laughter.

Tapping typewriterYou will need:a postcard or stiff paper

]1 Fold the two shorteredges of the postcardtogether. Run yourthumb along the foldto make a sharp crease.

I r

POSTCARDI o


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2 On a line 1-2crn from thebottom edge, fold theupper layer.

3 Now curve the card by rubbing it a few times over theedge of a table - or curve it with a ruler as described onpage 58.

4 Raise the long narrow flap so that itstands out from the card. Thiscompletes the construction.

5 Use two fingers to tap the card sharplyand repeatedly just behind the raisededge, and it will rattle awayjust like a typewriter.

Whirling sailsYou will need.: writing paper

scissorsgluedrinking straws

1 Fold the longeredges of a sheetof writing paper ~~':I~:~d~~a:ong -------------~-the crease line.Discard one half.

2 Fold the shorter edges ofthe other half to meet thelonger edges as shown.

3 Then fold the triangular ~areas so that they stand upfrom the main part of the paper _-.

4 .. .like this. Put aspot of glue on oneof the triangular flaps. . .


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5 .., and stick the flaps together. This gives you acurious.looking 'boat' with two open pockets or sails,each facing away from the other.

6 Place the boat in the middle of a large table and try tosend it across to the other side by blowing it through astraw. You'll find this isn't so easy to do, as the boattends to whirl and spin - particularly ifsomeone oppositeis trying to blow it towards you.

Snapping dogYou will nee.f two empty matchboxes

rulerpaper scrapssticky tapegluecolouring materials

1 Lay the trays from two empty matchboxes end toend. Fasten them together with a piece of sticky tape.This will be the dog's head.

2 Bring one of the trays overto cover the other like a lid anduse a second piece of stickytape to reinforce the hinge.

3 Glue scraps of paperhere to represent the ears.

4 Draw a big pair of eyes,and a nose, on the top.


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5 Draw fierce teeth all the way around the sides.

6 Finally fasten to one endof a ruler with sticky tape.

7 Jerk the ruler up anddown to make the dog's jawsopen and close with a snapping noise.

Circling serpentYou will need: drawing paper or thin cardpencil and ruler

scissorscompassthreadsticky tape

1 Start by lightly drawing astraight line across thecentre of your sheet of paper or card.With the compass almost closed,place the point in the centre ofthis line and describe an arc onthe near side. . .

2 ... like this.

3 Keep the pencil point inplace and take the point of thecompass to the other endof the arc. Then describe an arcon the far side of thecentre line ...


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4 .,. like this.

5 Keep the pencil point in place and take the point ofthe compass to the original starting point.

6 Continue the curve by describing an arc on the nearside. Continue to form arcs, increasing the radius eachtime ...

7 ... until the spiral iscompleted. The tail isformed bycarrying the final arc across the centre line. Cut out thisshape.

,--- --~-~ "" - - - _ . . . ./ .> ---',~ ,;- . . _ . . . . . . '-. . . ."",' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'I , ' " J 1 ; ' " , , ' _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , " "~III; '\\\I , ' J , . " . . . . . . " \ \ ~

J 4 r I r " . . . . . " \ \~ . . : t l f . . , 't ! I I :i \ ' , ', '......I / ' : ; II \ , ..... ~ I I ; Jt \ \_ '.... ~ .. _~" /1 , I /\ \ ........ ...,I ,, ,, ,', ' - , "- - ..." '~ .: "J ', , ,....... ,.._..., ,.,,1

8 Hang it with thread from the ceiling above a source ofheat such as a radiator, a television set or a standardlamp. When warm air rises the serpent will spin around.

\)


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Rocking see-sawYou will need: paperp en cil a nd ru ler

scissorsco louring mate ri al ssaucer

1 Place a saucer face down on a sheet of paper anddraw around the edge. Remove the saucer and cut alongthe line to make a paper disc.

- - - - - { - - - - - - - - - 2 Fold the disc inhalf.

3 Cut a slit, about 1ern deep,near either end of the folded edge.

4 Prepare a rectangle of paper about 8 x 12cm. Foldthe shorter edges together; then take the folded edge tothe raw edges as shown.

,,~ I

,,,I

5 Dra wone half of a seated figure centred on the foldededge. Cut through all layers ...

6 ... and you'll find you have cut-outs of two seatedfigures. Paint and decorate them to represent a boy and agirl. You can trim the arms down if you want, andposition them in different ways.


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1 Slide the figures into the slits so that they sit firmly onthe see-saw. Apply a little pressure and the children willstart to rock.

Returning rollerYou w iD need: fairly large rubber band

tin can with detachable lidmetal nut or several washersthread or stringscissors

1 Cut the rubber band to make one long elastic strip.

2 Bore two holes in the bottom of the can and twosimilar holes in the lid. (You should ask an adult to helpyou with this part.)

3 Tie a piece of string or thread to your metal nut orwashers to form a weight.

4 Now weave the cut rubber band through all the holesin your tin can and lid, then tie the two ends together in aknot.


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5 Hold the can and lid in either hand and pull apart.Turn the lid until the two stretched strands of the rubberband cross. Tie the weight to the two strands where theycross (it's much easier if you can get someone else to dothis while you hold the can and lid apart). Finally, put thelid back on the can.

(; Roll the can, gently at first, across a smooth levelsurface such as a kitchen table or tiled floor. (It probablywon't work on a carpeted floor.)

7 After first rolling forward, the can will stop and thenroll back towards you! This mysterious effect is causedby the weighted rubber band hidden inside: it wound upas the can rolled forward and now unwinds.

Leaping frogFor this toy, and for the Flapping bird which follows, youwill need paper which is strong but not thick. A squarecut from a sheet of good quality typing paper will do.Make sure that the paper is really square and try to be

as accurate as you can when you come to fold it. Runyour finger or thumb along each folded edge to makefirm creases and so build up neat shapes.

You will need: square of paper1 Mark the centre line by folding the square in half,Crease firmly and unfold. Then fold two opposite edgesto the centre.


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2 Fold the top edge to the leftedge, crease and unfold; thenfold it to the right edge, creaseand unfold. Tum the paper over.

.. ---'-f ....., ,

'- -3 Fold the top edge downto where the creases meet.Crease and unfold. Tumthe paper over.

4 Bring the top edge down andpush against the sides at pointsAandB ...

, A B,I, ,

~~,

5 .., to make a triangularshape at the top. Lifting thetwo flaps of the triangle outofthe way, fold the sides tothe centre. Press the flapsback down.

6 Turn the paper over.

7 Fold the bottom cornersto the centre crease. Tumover.

8 Fold up the bottom point.

9 Lightly take hold of thesides of the bottom triangularflap and pull the outer layersto left and right. Press thepaper flat ...


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10 ... to look like this. Fold four comers as shown. 14 ... and the frog is completed. Stand him on a flatsurface. Slide your finger down his back and off theedge ...

11 Fold the bottom edge to the top point. 15 ... to make him jump. Perhaps you can make himturn a somersault!

/

12 Fold the top edge to the bottom edge. Flapping birdYou will need: square of paper1 Fold opposite comers of the square together in turn:make very firm creases and open up. Tum the paperover.

",,-,-,

"- 'y/ ,-,/ -,

/ "-/ ",// ,, " "

13 This is the result. Tum over. . .


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2 This time fold opposite edges together in turn and" 5 .,. like this. Fold the lower edges of flaps Band C toagain make very firm creases. Keep the paper folded in the vertical centre crease. . .half.II~i-;: - ~ ---- -I '"" - ./

3 Hold the two ends of the folded edge between fingers 6 ... like this. Fold the top triangular area forwardand thumbs. Bring the ends down so that the corners of over the horizontal edge. Make a very firm crease andthe paper come together, creating four flaps A, B, C and return. Open Band C to the sides.D.

4 Fold flap B to the left and flap D to the right. a 7 Raise the top layer of paper, using the horizontalcrease you've just made. . .

'1'1


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; . and pull the bottom point right up as fat as itwill"T he two edges should come together and meet ...go.

9 ... like this. Press firmly, then tum the paper overand repeat steps 5-8 on flaps A and D.

10 This is the result. Take the top leftflap over to the right. Tum overand do the same again.

11 You should now have twonarrow pointed flaps at the top.PuU one to the left. . .

12 ... pressing the paper flatto fix the point in its newposition.


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13 Then pull the other point to the right. Press thepaper again to fix this point too in its newposition.

14 Fold up the bottom point on a line just below theexisting horizontal crease. Turn over and do the samebehind.

16 Then press the sides to fi x the new angle of thepointed end.

17 The bird has almost taken shape. You can see itsneck, head, tail and two wings. Curve the wingsslightlyby running them in tum between your fingers andthumbs.

18 Hold the bottom of the bird's neck with one hand15 Take hold of one of the sidepoints; push against the and pun its tail repeatedly with the other. Its wingswillridge with your fingertip to turn it into a trough. flap.


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Shootil1 ~rocketYou w i l l need: paperempty plastic container for washing-upliquiddrinking strawmodelling clay or similar

scissorsglue1 Start to make a paper tube by rolling a 5 x lOcmpiece of paper lengthways around the drinking straw.Glue the edge and take it over. Let the glue dry andremove the straw.

2 Using a 10cm square of paper, make a Y o D .shape like the flight of a dart by completingsteps 1-4 ofthe Flapping bird (page 31).Now cut a vertical slit, not more than1cm deep, through all layers at top centre.Then fold the uppermost left flap to theright in front and fold the underneathright flap behind to the left.

3 Once more cut a vertical slit at top centre through alllayers.

4 Push the paper tube into the flightand take the end ofit out through the crossed slits.

5 Fix the flight to the tube with a spot of glue. Weightthe end furthest from the flight with a pellet of clay orsimilar. This completes the rocket.


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6 Prise the top off an empty plastic container forwashing-up liquid. (You may find it easier to do this ifyou use a spoon as a lever.) Rinse it out and dry.

7 Fix a little modellingclay around the drinking straw,2-3cm from one end ...

8 ... and let the strawproject from the containerlike a long nozzle. Pressthe clay firmly all the wayaround to seal any gaps,and make sure the strawis standing straight.This completes the rocketlauncher.

9 Fit the rocket on to the launcher. Aim and squeeze.The rocket should shoot across the room.

Listening dogYou will need: empty cigarette packet

scissors or craft knifecolouring materials1 Remove the inside part from the cigarette packet andcut the shape of a pair of ears inone end.


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2 Cut slits, aboutO.5cmlong, into theinside edges at thebase ofthe ears. Makethese slits 2-3mm wide.

3 Fold the inside edges of the earsinwards, up to the slits.

4 Take the outside part of the packet now and maketwo slits, about O.5cmfrom the top edge, the same widthas the ears when flat. Push the inside section of thepacket back into the outside, passing the ears throughthe two slits.

5 Open the ears and then fold them down.

6 Paint or draw a dog's face on the front of thepacket ...

7 ... and squeeze the sides gently, to curve the dog'sface outwards.

/8 Now you can show this model to a friend and ask himto guess your dog's name. To the first couple of guesses,


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say, 'No, that's not it. Try again.' But at the third guess,whatever the name, pull the bottom flap to make thedog's ears pop up as you say, 'See, he knows his name!'

Galloping RacehorseYou will need: emptymatchbox

stringpaperpencil and rulersticky tapenailgluescissorsinks or paint

1 Make two holes with the nail in one end of thematchbox - dividing it into thirds. Find a similar distancefrom the end of the box along each side and make holeshere too.

2 Cut a piece of string at least rmetre long and wrap alittle sticky tape around each end (to stop it fromfraying).

3 Thread each end of the string through a hole in theside of the box.


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4 Carefully open the box and thread the ends of thestring out through the holes in the end of the matchbox.

S Close the box and fasten it with a bit of sticky tapeacross the other end.

6 Knot the ends of the string together.

7 The mechanism is now completed. Hold the string inboth hands, as shown, and tum one wrist rapidly backand forth. The box will travel along the string tracks.

However, it's more interesting if you transform thebox into a horse and jockey.

8 Take a 10 x 12cmsheet of paper and fold the shorteredges together. With the folded edge at the top, draw theshape of a horse and cut it out.

". . . . . . .,'\\'I,'I,,,,\/ " \ ..:: /,.,, ~, / ~I ,-, ,, /, /

9 Take a 6 x 8cm sheet of paper and fold the shorteredges together. With the folded edge at right, draw thisshape of a seated jockey and cut him out.

,,,_ __ _ _ .,.lo


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16 Raise the horse's ears and curl his tail. Make pleatsat the top of his legs to lift them into a running position.Glue the two halves of his head together at the front.11 Decorate the horse and jockey with inks or paint.Place the two sides of the horse over the matchbox andglue them in place - making sure you leave plenty ofroom for the string to run freely. Then glue the jockey tothe horse's back.

12 You can make the track as long as you like, bylengthening or shortening the string. And ifyou get yourfriends involved, you can hold your very own horseraces!

Climbing spiderYou will need: materials as described on page 441 Prepare a rectangle of paper about 5 x 12cm. Foldthe two shorter edges together and make a firm crease.

2 With the folded edge at the top, cut several slitsthrough both layers at the bottom. Then open up thepaper.I II I II I II I ,I I II I II I II I II I ,

3 Now make the cut ends represent a spider's legs byfolding them forwards and backwards. . .

,, II

,, "~--~: ~~--~,


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4 ... like this. You can shape the legs as much as youlike, and paint in eyes.

5 Glue the spider to the side of themechanism made for the Gallopingracehorse (page 44, steps 1-6). Loopthe string over a coat hook orsomething similar. Pull rapidly onthe ends to make the spider climb.

Jumping JackYou will need: thin card

pencil and rulerscissorsfour small paper fastenersneedle and strong threadcolouring materials

1 From your card. cut one rectangle 8 x 16cm, tworectangles 4 x 16cm and two 2.5 x 12cm. (These willform the head and body, two legs and two arms.)g 4

1 Z 5 2.5

21

2 On the largest rectangle,draw the head and body ofyour Jack. You can drawany character you like, butmake sure the body fills upthe bottom half of the rectangle.

3 Cut around his head andshoulders and remove thesurplus paper.


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4 Place the two 4 x 16cmstrips together. Cut these toform feet at one end and round off the other end.

S Place the two 2.5 x 12cmstrips together. Cut handsinone end and round off the other.

6 Fix the arms and legs to the body withpaper fasteners: pass the fasteners throughfrom the front ofthe body and spread the endsbehind. Work the arms andlegs to enlarge the holes which thefasteners have made and so ensurethat the limbs move freely.

7 Fix a loop It thread to the top of Jack'shead so that you can hang him up. Then,after making sure that both the arms andlegs are hanging downwards, join the topsof the arms with thread. Keep the ~~r-..o'~thread taut. Join the tops ofthe legsin the same way. Finally, knot alonger piece of thread to the centreof both these cross threads and letthe ,end hang below the figure.

8 Turn Jack over and hang him upby the top loop. pun the tail threadand his arms and legs should jerk up in anamusing way.


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9 You could make a second character with arms andlegs.in two pieces. Join them loosely at elbows and kneeswith paper fasteners, and watch it dance!

Battling boxersYou will need: thick card or balsa wood

thin cardcraft knifenailstringpencil and rulercolouring materials

1 Cut the thick card or balsa wood into two 3 x 20cmstrips.2.0

I :> - -- - -- -- -- --

2 Prepare two 3 x 15cmstripsof thin card. Draw a simple side-viewof a man on each. filling up as much ofthe space as you can, and cut them out.

3 Prepare four1.5 x 6cm stripsof thin card anddraw the shapeof an arm, withboxing glove, oneach. Cut them out.

4 Place a cut-out ann on each sideof one man and use the nail to piercea hole through both the arms and body.

5 Wrap a piece \of sticky tape around ~.one end of the stringand thread it throughthe hole in one of the !'arms.

, ",p.,':

6 Tie knots in the string close to the armon either side. Thread the string throughthe body and tie another knot. Threadthrough the other arm and tie a final knot.


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7 Make sure the arms swing freely and then trim off thesurplus string. Draw and colour the man to make himlook like a boxer. Repeat steps 4-7 with the other piecesto make a second boxer.

10 Hold the strips at either end, and move them fromside to side. The boxers wiIllunge at each other in tum8 Place the two strips of thick card or balsa wood on a with their arms flailing.flat surface lern apart, one above the other. Place thetwo boxers on these strips, Scm from the left and rightedges. Make sure that they face each other and that theirfeet rest on the bottom edge. Pierce holes through theirankles and thighs and the supporting strips behind.These should be about lern above the lower edge of eachstrip.

9 Join the boxers to the supporting strips by threadingstring through each of the holes and tying knots in frontand behind. Trim off the surplus string.


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Finger puppetsYou wili need: paper

pencil and rulerscissorsgluecolouring materials

Here you can make a variety offaces which become puppets whenfitted on to your fingertips. It's easyto give the puppets different moodssimply by moving the fingers whichcarry them. Hold a finger straight upto express boldness, but let it bendforward to show shyness or sadness.A rapid up-and-down movement maymake the puppet seem angry orexcited. and shaking, of course,shows fear.

Why not create a play using your puppets - to entertainfriends, or a younger brother or sister. You could per-fonn it in the simple theatre described on page 63. Useyour imagination, and you can create a whole cast ofamazing characters!Girl1 Prepare a rectangle of paper, about 7 x 12cm. Curlthe paper by running it lengthways once or twice be-tween your thumb and the edge of a ruler.

2 Roll the paper around your finger, glue the edge andpress down to make a tube.

3 Cut a curved shape about Icm from the bottom (tobecome the lower half of a face). Then cut around fromone side of the curve to the other and remove the surpluspaper.

4 Work around the tube, making a series ofcuts from the top to a distance of lcm from thebottom. These cuts should not be more thanO.5cm apart.


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5 Fold down aU the narrow strips- these will represent 9 Completed.hair.

Old woman6 Cut away the two or three strips which hide the face 10 Make the jaw ~to make a fringe. Curl up the ends of the hair by running very round in step 3them in tum between your thumb and a scissors blade. and curl the hair \iYou can give your characters different hair colours by to make an old --using coloured papers. Ifyour paper is coloured on one woman like this.side only, roll the paper into a tube (stage 2) with thecoloured side inwards.7 Complete by drawingor painting the features of a girl.

Boy8 Prepare a 5 x 12cmrectangle of paper.Complete steps 1-7 of the Girl (page 58), butmake the jaw squarer in step 3, leave the hairstraight, and draw the features of a boy.Because the tube is shorter,the hair will be shorter.

Oldman11 Use a 6 X 12cm rectangleof paper; make a tube and cutinto the bottom edge as well as thetop edge ...

12 .., to make an old man with a beardlike this.

CrownIfyou put a head-dress on one of your finger puppets, hisor her character becomes changed instantly. Put a crownon the girl and she becomes a princess; put a crown onthe old man and he becomes a king. A head-dress alsohelps to keep a puppet's hair neatly in place.


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1 Make a tube from a 3 x Scm rectangle of paper.Place a puppet on your finger first, then wrap the paperaround it.

2 Cut away triangular shapes from the tube.

3 The crown completed.

Wizard's hat1 Prepare a piece of paperabout Scm square. Cut abold curve from comer tocomer and discard the surplus.

,,,,...,. . . .

2 Place a puppet on your finger, and roll the paperarouIllilto make a cone. Glue the edge of the cone to thepuppet's head.

3 This will look like a wizard'shat if you decorate it suitablywith a moon and stars.

Nightcap4 Bend down the point to makea woollen hat. Your character canthen become a gnome, or a manin his night cap!Finger puppet theatreYou will need: empty cereal packet or similar ------cissors or craft knife

colouring materials

1 Cut a window in the bottom half ofone side of the packet. This is where yourhand will go in.


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2 Cut another window in the top half of the other side.This willbe the stage. You can shape this window sothatcurtains seem to hang above it and decorate with paint orcoloured papers. Ifyou want, you can write the name ofthe theatre on the front.

3 Let your audience sit well below the theatre (so thatthey can see the puppets but not too much of your hand).Try placing the theatre on a table and have youraudience sit on the floor.

Bouncing bunnyYo~"will need: strong drawing paper

scissorsstapler or glueempty matchboxcolouring materials

1 Prepare two strips of strong Pilper t about 3 x 5Ocm.Staple or glue one end of each strip together to form aright angle. Then fold one strip across the edge of theother.

~50cm~-.-_-_J

5 0 c . r n

. I :, t It___.."2 Fold the second strip acrossthe edge of the first.

3 Continue, alternatelyfolding each strip across theedge of the other. . .


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4 .,. to a distance of 3-4cm fromthe end of the strips.Glue or staplewhere the strips cross and leavethe ends free to form ears.

5 Shape the rabbit's earsby cutting. Draw his eyesand nose.

6 Fix an empty matchbox to the bottom of the rabbit asa base. Poke him with your finger, or press down on hisnose, to make him bounce and flop about.

Wiiggling snakeYou will need: strong drawing paper

paper scrapsthreadstick, about 50cm longpencil and rulerstapler or gluescissors

1 Prepare six strips of strong paper, about 3 x 5Ocm.Take two paper strips and complete steps 1-5 of theBouncing bunny (page 65). Then staple or glue anotherstrip to each of the ends and continue plaiting.

2 When completed, join a thirdpair of strips and continue plaitinguntil you've made a long spring which ' ::,:"will form the snake's body. Trim=:he ends neatly and fixthe top end 0 . """'-c~~/~- . .. .. . -


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3 To make the snake's head, prepare a 6cm square of 6, praw or paint in the eyes. Use a scrap of paper topaper and fold it in half. Cut about lem into the folded make the tongue. This completes the snake.edge. Then cut a bold curve through both layers in theopposite comer.

. . . . : . , . ' .... . . . ::.... ~.\ .\.,:,

4 Open it up and you should have a shape like this.Fold the bottom flaps forwards. . .

5 ... and tuck them into the sides at one end of thespringy body (the head will take shape as you do this).Fasten with a little glue.

7 Fasten the snake's neck to a stickwith thread sothatits head hangs down. Fasten its tail to the stick with amuch shorter thread. Hold the stick and move it slightly- the snake willwriggleand tum.


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,Jack~in-the~boxYou wiD need: strong drawing paper

pencil and rulerscissors or craft knifestaples or gluecolouring materials

1 Prepare four strips of strong paper, about 3 x 5Ocm.Take two of the paper strips and complete steps 1-5 ofthe Bouncing Bunny (page 65). Then staple or glueanother strip to each of the ends and continue plaiting.

2 Fasten the ends of the strips together with staples orglue and trim off the surplus. This completes the spring.

3 Take a 9em square of paper and mark the edges at3cm intervals. Join the marks up to divide the paper intonine little squares. Mark flaps, as shown, in the fourcomer squares. Then cut out along the dotted lines._ r ~, .

" ',-__~~~t


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7 Take a 15 x 22cm rectangle of paper and mark theedges at 5cm intervals as shown. loin the marks up todivide the paper into twelve little squares with threeextra rectangles at the top. Draw flaps, as shown, lcm-wide. Cut out along the dotted lines. -

2t~' -,.~'. ~:j ,. ., '., . - ,I - " :5cm ,,:* ' , i_-~.JI . ,~, ,- S c m , ,

I r:_-.--.,',t I II

,,- -,,,l. -, ---~___-:-:. . . . :_1 -,,

1 - r -L-- - -~23-~,giT . . . : ;. .- - - - - / ; : : >S cm - '-: I :-

1 , ' : L _ J :-S[m----5cm-----5cm- _"

8 Foldalongall the solid lines andraise the sides of the box.Glue lack to the bottomof the box, making surehe is placed well forwardand facing the front. Then glueor staple the flaps to the inside of the box, so that thesides and lid take shape. Do not fasten the lid down.

9 Close the lid and holdthe box as shown. lust pressthe sides ..

10 ... and Jack will pop out.

When not in use, keep theJack-in-the-box open. If leftclosed the spring may lose itstension.

Swinging acrobatYou will need: two empty matchboxes

two wood battens, about 2 x 25cm

~!-.;- :stringscissorsnailgluesticky tapepencil and rulercolouring materials

1 Push part of one matchbox tray fromits casing and cut away the end.


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2 Cut into the sides of the tray,above the edge ofthe casing.

Bend the bottom of the tray as shown,o that the side flaps overlap ...

4 ... and fasten them togetherwith a spot of glue. This forms theacrobat's head. Now make twoholes in each side of the box witha nail.o

01===

Cut two pieces of string at least2cm long. Neatly wrap a small piecef sticky tape around one end of eachto stop the ends from fraying), andhread one through the top two holesnd one through the bottom two holes.

6 Tie not in each protruding end,close to1'he side of the box.

7 Take the tray from the other emptymatchbox and cut it in half lengthways.

8 Then cut each half as shownto make four similar pieces.

9 These will become the acrobat'sanns and legs. Pierce a hole inone end of each as shown. In two ofthe pieces, pierce another twoholes, 1cm apart, at the other end.


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10 Slip the arms and legs on tothe string ends. Tie a knot in eachstring close to the arm or leg. . .

11 ... and cut off any surplus.

12 Prepare the handles by piercing two holes, lernapart, in one end of each of your battens.

]Q 0

13 1'lace the acrobat on a table, head down, betweenthe two handles as shown. Take a piece of string, about20cm long, and wrap sticky tape around one end. Threadthis end through the uppermost holes in the handles andarms ...

14 ... then take the string backthrough the lower holes and tie a knotto complete the loop. Cut off anysurplus string.

15 Bring down the acrobat to liebetween the handles. Draw in theface and perhaps a colourful costume.


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16 Pull the two handles apart and the acrobat shouldswing up and around with his legs flying.

~\\

IMPORTANT Before using this toy make sure thestrings are crossed at points A and B asinfig 15 on page77.Sometimes the strings become twisted, or crossed thewrong way, and this prevents the toy from workingproperly.

Kicking footballerYon will need: thin card

scissors or craft knifepencil and rulergluecolouring materials

Botb4bis figure of the KicJ9ng footbaDer and that of theGoalie which follows, are constructed for use with theFootball pitch, page 86.1 Prepare a 9.4cm x l3erncard and, with pencil andruler, divide it to the measure-ments shown. 1J3tm

j~q'4clT1 --l>

i

jr A

1 5 o M1

:'.~;~.~'?~ ~ ' . ' ) . : : . \ : , ~. : :~I." '.:.'.: .' fJ

2 Cut away two sections at thebottom as shown. Cut a horizontalslit in the centre panel at A.

3 Score the lines by running overthem with a scissors point, craftknife or perhaps a very hard pencil.This will make it easier to fold alongthese lines later on. This is the casing.


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4 Prepare a 3.4 x 15cm card and divide it to themeasurements shown. 1 ' T I . ~ ~'7,m 1TIIScm1

I r2Scmt5 Cut out the shape shown by dotted lines.

6 Push the narrow top section of thisshape through the slit in the casing(A fig3) from behind and lift itas faras it will go. Then fold it down. Foldthe side panels of the casing tooverlap each other behind. Fold upthe bottom flaps ...

7 ... like this. Glue theoverlapping panels togetherbehind. Fold up the foot at B.

8 Take a 5 x Scm card anddraw the lines as shown.. . " 1 'Urnt

. ~ \ ) : ~ i \ : : : : : : ~ ~ 9 Cut along all the lines and-,--~, '


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11 Draw his face and colour his shirt and shorts tocomplete.

When you pull down the bottom flap, his leg should kickright up. (The flaps pointing to the front and back will beused to fit the kicking footballer to the football pitch.)

GoalieYou will need: thin card

scissors or craft knifepencil and rulergluecolouring materials

1 Prepare a 9.4 x Bcm 1card and divide it to the Imeasurements shown. J3crI"l1

~q'4cm-

2 Cut away two sections at the bottom as shown. Then,starting lcm from the top, cut two vertical slits, 1.5cmlong as shown. Then, 1.5cm from the top, cut two O.5cmhorizontal slits.

' " .I I

3 ... to look like this. Score the linesby running over them with a scissorspoint, craft knife or hard pencil.Again, this is to make folding easierlater on. This is the casing.~tem-+I 2. I TB 45cm1

4 Prepare a 4 x 16cm card anddivide it to the measurements shown.


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5 Then cut out as shown,along the dotted lines.

6 Push the two arms, A and B,through the horizontal slits in thecasing from behind and lift them asfar as they will go. Then fold themdown. Fold the side panels of thecasing to overlap each otherbehind. Fold up the bottom flaps.

7 Glue the overlapping panelstogether behind.

8 Take a 4 x 4cm card anddraw the lines as shown.

. ,I t .. " I II I' "_.' . ' : ' : i . . . . 9 Cutout this shape.' - - ;- '~ _ _ _ " < '- -J < ~ ~

10 Glue this shape to thecasing so that its bottom edgelies just above the arms.

t....__~ __ ...J " I c m, . , . _ . _ 4 - em -----7

11 Draw his face and legs and colourhim to look like a goalie.


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When you pull down the bottom flap, his arms shouldcome forward and up. (The flaps pointing to the frontand back will be used to fix the goalie to the footballpitch.)

3 Lay paper strips or tape, long enough to overlap thesides of the card, in front and behind the cut-out tracks.Glue the ends of the strips underneath the card at oneside.Place the goalie in the shorter track so that the leverhangs down through the slit and the front and back flapslie between the tape and card. Place the kicking foot-baller in the longer track similarly, so that he faces thegoalie. Make sure thatboth figures slide freelyalong their tracks -.thenglue the free ends of thetapes underneath theother side of the card.

Football pitchYou will need: empty cereal packet or similar

thick card, the size of your pitchpaper strips or tapescrap paperpencil and rulercraft knifegluekicking footballer and goalie (pages 78-82)

1 Cut a window in one sideof an empty cereal packet orsomething similar. This willform the goal.4 Fix the goal behind the goalie with a little glue andmake a ball by rolling a scrap of paper between yourhands.

2 Cut two slits in the card -these will become tracks forthe footballers. The lengthand position of the tracks Iwill depend on the size of \the card and the width of the goal. = r :lust make sure you don't take ~;;;:;~~~~~~;;:;::our cuts too near the edgesso as not to weaken the card.

87


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S With a friend holding the lever of one figure and youholding the other, drop the ball at the kicking foot-baller's feet. Move him from side to side, controlling theball with his extended foot, then shoot! It's a goa1- orperhaps not if the goalie blocked the ball with his body orknocked it up with his arms. Try again ....

Peek-a-boo mouseYou will need: expanded polystyrene (packing material)

or corkstringhousehold size matchboxthick cardpaperthree map pinstwo dressmakers' pinsribbon or cotton tapepaperclipgluesticky tapescissorscraft knifepencil and rulerbristles and felt scraps (optional)

1 To make the mouse, firstprepare a small block ofpolystyrene with dimensionsabout 2 x 2 x 4cm (or acork if you have one). Cut offthe corners, then shape thenose and finally round offthe edges.,,

I 6302 Use a piece of string, about Bern long, for the tail.Fasten one end under the body with sticky tape.

3 Cut two ear shapes, not much more than lern across,in paper or felt scraps. It is best to do this by placing twopieces of paper or felt together and cutting through themboth to make a pair of identical shapes.


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4 Squeeze the pointed parts. . .

5 '" and push them into cuts made at the sides of thehead.

6 Two black map pins willmake a pair of beady eyes. Athird map pin, perhaps coloured red, will make a lovelyshiny nose. You can use a few nylon bristles from an oldhand brush to make whiskers. Ifyou like you could alsomake claws from paper or felt and fasten these under thebody with sticky tape. This completes the mouse.

7 Start to make the mechanism by cutting a piece ofcotton tape or ribbon, about 1ern wide, to a length of25cm. Measure 14.5ern from one end and fold the tapeback on itself.

~--14S'rn ~-_,.

8 4cm from t h e fold, fasten the two layers together witha paper clip. Glue the free end of the upper layer to thelayer beneath. When dry, remove the clip.

c9 You have a length of tape er ribbon with a loop at oneend.

10 Now prepare a rectangle of paper, 5.8cm x 2Ocm.Ron it up tightly.

11 Glue the end and continue rolling to make a neatcylinder. / /,I /1

12 Prepare two rectangles of thick card, 3 x 1l.5cm.At a point 5.5cm from one end and 1cm from the top,push a dressmakers' pin inwards through each card.


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Loop the ribbon over the papercylinder and then fit the endof the cylinder on to thetwo pins. The cylindershould roll freely onthe pins.

13 The whole mechanism shouldfit neatly into the tray of a householdsize matchbox. Glue the endof the tape ...

14 .,. and slide the trayinto the matchbox casing.Fasten the glued end of thetape to the inside ofthe casing; the end ofthe tape should beplaced centrally inline with the endof the casing. Nowglue the mouse to the tapewhere it's stretched over the roller.

15 Close the box and make a secret mark on the top.This is just to remind you which end of the box to open.

16 Whenever you open the box, the peek-a-boo mousewill pop out over the edge - and pop right back wheneveryou close it.

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Action Toys 1