Did You Know?
Did you know that there is a border collie named Chaser who was taught to understand over 1000 words? That means that Chaser knew about as many words as a four year old child! In comparison, a trained dolphin typically has a vocabulary of around 50 to 60 words.
When to Celebrate
The Toolkit
- The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE]
- Cardboards
- Hot Glue Gun: (Safety First: Always ask an adult for assistance when using special tools.)
- Double-Sided Tape
- Popsicle Sticks and Chopsticks
- Rubberband
- Scissors & Craft Knife: (Safety First: Always ask an adult for assistance when using sharp cutting tools.)
The Build: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Create Structure
1.Print and Prepare: Prepare the appropriate size of cardboard and print the templates onto A4 paper. Carefully cut out the dog and bone templates, then attach them to the cardboard. -Safety Tip: ASK an ADULT for help when using cutting tools!
-Safety Tip: ASK an ADULT for help when using cutting tools!
3.Precision Gluing: Carefully use hot glue to assemble the main board, bottom board, and both side panels.
-Safety Tip: ASK an ADULT for help when using special materials!
4.Install Sticks and Paper Towel Roll: Glue the popsicle sticks(W-1, W-3~W-10), wooden chopsticks (W-2), and paper towel roll into correct positions.
-Tip 1: Cut out 3 paper towels and tie them together to increase stability!
-Tip 2: Maintain a gap between the sticks (W-2, W-5, W-6) and the cardboard to allow room for the rubber bands to move freely!
Phase 2: Tie and Secure
6.Build Elastic Chain: Wrap the rubber bands around wooden sticks from the inside out. (W-5→W-7, W-6→W-8, W-2→W-9 & W-10) This creates the outward tension needed for the "snap" action!
Phase 3: Build the Control Area
-Tip: Ensure the string runs underneath the paper towel roll! This keeps the movement smooth.
8.Install the sign: Attach the sign to W-1.
Your creation is complete! Now, ask friends to pull bone and see how they react.
Happy April Fool’s Day!
Success Checklist
- Control Area Check: Are both ends of the rubber band secure? This ensures your sign pops up smoothly.
- Structure Check: Are the pieces of cardboard securely attached to each other?
- Mechanism check: When returning everything to its closed position, make sure the latch is tightly secured and holding everything in place.
The Science Link: Elastic Potential Energy
The "snap" in your Auto Foldy Face isn’t magic—it’s Elastic Potential Energy in action!
When you pull the bone and "set" the trap, you are stretching those rubber bands. As they stretch, they store energy. Think of it like a battery, but instead of chemicals, it’s made of tension! This stored energy is called Potential Energy because it has the potential to do work, but it’s just waiting for a signal.
The moment your friend pulls the trigger (the bone), you release that tension. Instantly, all that stored Elastic Potential Energy converts into Kinetic Energy—the energy of motion.
The rubber bands want to return to their original, relaxed shape as fast as possible, pulling the cardboard panels with them. This happens so quickly that it creates that satisfying "snap" that catches your April Fool off guard!
Get Your Templates
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[GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE]
Show us your Auto Foldy Face!
Drop a comment below or share a video of your "Auto Foldy Face" to Instagram or TikTok and tag us with #amomiiSSC. We’d love to see your creativity in action!
Feel free to let us know what you think of the project or ask questions by leaving a comment below.
PROJECT CREDITS
- amomii Lead: Shaun
- Illustration: Steve
- Graphics & Templates: Kelly
- Video & Blog Content: Cindy & Vera
