When to Celebrate

The date chosen for International Jazz day was April 30th. This day was picked because it is the last day of Jazz Appreciation Month, or JAM, which itself was started in 2001 by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

The Toolkit

To build your Jazz band, gather these supplies:

• The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE]

• Cardstock or A4 Paper: (Use thicker paper—around 210g—for a stronger main board)

• Glue or Double-Sided Tape

• Scissors or Craft Knife: (Safety First: Always ask an adult for assistance when using sharp cutting tools.)

• Hole Punch (Safety First: Ask an adult for assistance if needed)

• Big Cardboard (34 cm x 25 cm)

• Small Cardboard (32 cm x 3 cm)

• 1 Ice Cream Stick

• 17 Paper Fasteners

The Build: Step-by-Step

Phase 1: Print & Cut

1. Print and Prepare: Print all templates and organize your parts before starting.

2. Precision Cutting: Carefully cut along all lines for each template piece. Accuracy is key for smooth movement later.

Phase 2: Build the Control Mechanism

3. Prepare the Base Controller:  Gather the stick, small cardboard, SK templates, and adhesive.
4. Attach SK Template: Stick the SK template onto the small cardboard, aligned closer to the right side.

5. Add the Control Stick: Cut the ice cream stick in half and attach both pieces at the front and back of the left side of the cardboard (the uncovered section).

6. Add the Control Stick: Cut the ice cream stick in half and attach both pieces at the front and back of the left side of the cardboard (the uncovered section).

Phase 3: Prepare the Main Board

7. Main Board Setup: Take the main board template and fold the bottom black section.

8. Punch Holes: Punch all required holes as shown on the template.

9. Attach Control Base: Secure the small cardboard (control mechanism) to the bottom section of the main board without glue.

Phase 4: Assemble the Moving Parts

10. Follow the Pivot Map:  Use the Assembly Pivot Map from the template as your guide.

11. Left Section First:  Start assembling from the left side using paper fasteners.
Pay close attention—some fasteners should face inward, others outward.

12. Middle Section: Connect the three middle parts together first, then attach them to the main board.

 13. Right Section: Complete the assembly by attaching the right-side components.

Phase 5: Add the Characters

14. Layer the Design: Stick each colored character piece on top of the corresponding shadow body parts. This creates the final animated look.

Phase 6: Build the Background

15. Prepare Background Board: Attach the two background templates onto the big cardboard base.

16. Attach Main Mechanism: Stick the main board onto the designated white section of the background.Secure the bottom part as shown in the reference.

17. Final Fasteners: Insert paper fasteners into each corner of the main board for stability.

Your Jazz Moving Jazz Band Craft is complete! 🎶
Move the control stick and watch your band come alive with rhythm and motion.

Success Checklist

• Motion Check: Do all parts move smoothly when you control the stick? If not, check if any fasteners are too tight.

• Alignment Check: Do the characters line up properly with their shadow bases?

• Mechanism Check: Does the control stick move all connected parts together in sync?

• Stability Check: Is the main board securely attached to the background and standing firm?

Get Your Templates

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[GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE]

Show Us Your Jazz Band! 🎷🎉 

We want to see your band in action! Share your moving jazz band craft on Instagram or TikTok and tag #amomiiSSC.We’d love to see your creativity in action!

PROJECT CREDITS

• amomii Lead: Shaun

• Illustration: Steve

• Graphics & Templates: Kelly

• Video & Blog Content: Cindy & Vera