Seasonal Schematics Craft
April Fool’s Day: Auto Foldy Face
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 There are many theories as to why we celebrate April 1st as April Fool’s Day. One popular idea is that until the 1500s, New Year’s Day was celebrated on the first of April, until it was changed to January first. For a while, there were people that were not used to the new date, and still celebrated the New Year in April, which was now four months too late. These people were known as April Fools. The Toolkit To build your Auto Foldy Face, gather these supplies: 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! 2.Cut and Attach: Score the cardboard to create two creases, then attach the dog picture to the front. Score the front board again to define the final fold. -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 5.Create Anchor Point: Punch holes at the designated spots on the cardboard. 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 7.Build Main Control: Link the switch to the dogbone, then position the mini board over the paper towel roll. -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 Sign up for free weekly templates delivered to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time. [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
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National Puppy Day: Foldy Faces 1 of 2
Did You Know? In the US, March 23 is National Puppy Day, a day to celebrate the joy and companionship puppies bring into our lives. But did you know that in Nepal, there’s a special festival called Kukur Tihar? During this celebration, even street puppies are treated like royalty! They receive flower garlands, tasty treats, and blessings, because they are believed to be loyal protectors and true friends. 🐾 When to Celebrate National Puppy Day is celebrated every year on March 23 in the United States. Meanwhile, Kukur Tihar takes place during the Tihar festival in Nepal (usually in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar). No matter where you are in the world, it’s the perfect time to honor, love, and play with your furry friends! The Toolkit Foldy Faces 1 of 2, gather these supplies: The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Cardstock or A4 Paper: (Use thicker paper for a stronger, more satisfying "flip!") Colored Markers (Bring your puppy to life with your favorite colors!) The Build: Step-by-Step Print and Prepare: Print your Foldy Faces template onto A4 paper or cardstock for best results. Draw and Color Your Puppy: Draw your puppy and use colored markers to decorate your puppy’s face. Get creative—choose realistic colors or design your own playful style! First Fold: Fold the paper in half evenly to form the base of your Foldy Face. Second Fold: Fold the top section of the paper forward to create the opening mechanism for the mouth. Your creation is complete! Now flip to open to reveal what’s hiding inside your puppy’s smile. Success Checklist Fold Check: Does the paper fold smoothly without bending or tearing? Alignment: Do the top and bottom parts of the face line up when closed? Reveal Test: Does the mouth open and close clearly to show the hidden design inside? Color Check: Is your puppy fully colored and vibrant? Add extra details if you want more personality! Get Your Templates Sign up for free weekly templates delivered to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time. [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Show us your Foldy Faces 1 of 2! Drop a comment below or share a video of your "Foldy Faces 1 of 2" to Instagram or TikTok and tag us with #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
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Saint Patrick's Day: Wobblerchauns
Did You Know? Did you know that Ireland’s original national color was actually blue? In the 1600s, the Irish switched to green as an act of defiance to separate themselves from British royalty. Folklore also says that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns. If they can’t see you, they can’t pinch you! When to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17th. This date marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385 – c. 461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. What started as a religious feast day in the 17th century has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, history, and—of course—the color green. It’s the perfect time of year to celebrate "luck," master the physics of balance, and ensure you remain completely invisible to those pesky, pinching leprechauns! The Toolkit To build your wobble men, gather these supplies: The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] A4 Paper or Cardstock: Thick paper is less likely to crease and keeps the men intact. Colored markers Scissors: Safety First !! Always ask an adult for help when using sharp cutting tools. Double-Sided Tape Plastic Bottle Cap: Use a deeper cap—it works better! Playdough or Clay The Build: Step-by-Step 1.Print and Prepare: Print all template pages on A4 paper. For best results, use thicker cardstock to improve rigidity.- Extra fun: You can choose the black-and-white template to color yourself ! 2.Precision Cutting: Carefully cut out the men along the black line. -Safety Tip: ASK an ADULT for help when using SCISSORS! 3.Attach to the plastic cap: Use double-sided tape to attach the man to the plastic cap. 4.Build the base: Put some playdough inside the plastic cap.-Tips: Fill about 1/4 of the cap with a playdough to help the man wobble longer. 5.Create and Play: Repeat Step 1- 4 to make more wobbling men and play together!! Your creation is complete! Now gently push them and watch them wobble back and forth! Success Checklist Alignment: Are the images aligned correctly with each plastic cap? Playdough Check: If your Wobblerchauns don’t wobble smoothly, check the amount of playdough. Experiment with adding or removing dough until you get the balance just right! Wobble Check: If you’ve already checked the playdough, try using a different cap. A cap with more depth might help the men from toppling forward or backwards. The Science Link: Center of Gravity & Stability Your "Wobblerchaun" stays upright thanks to its Center of Gravity (CoG)—the point where its weight is perfectly balanced. By weighting the curved base, we "pull" the CoG as low as possible. When it tips, gravity pulls that low weight back toward the center, creating a "restoring force" that makes the character wobble instead of toppling.This is the same engineering used to keep cruise ships upright in rough seas and lifeboats self-righting. It’s a masterclass in staying grounded! [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Show us your Wobblerchauns! Drop a comment below or share a video of your "Wobblerchauns" to Instagram or TikTok and tag us with #amomiSSC. 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
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International Women's Day: 4 Image Fold
Did You Know? In 1912, thousands of women took to the streets of Lawrence, Massachusetts, with a demand that changed everything: "Bread and Roses." Inspired by the words of activist Helen Todd, the strikers sent a bold message that survival—the "bread"—simply isn’t enough; everyone deserves the right to thrive and find beauty—the "roses." This week, we’re honoring that spirit with a craft that is a literal lesson in perspective! We’ve designed a custom Infinity Folder that takes a "basic" flat surface and unfolds it to reveal the layers of beauty hidden within—because why settle for just survival when you can have the roses, too? When to Celebrate International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8th. This date was chosen to commemorate the 1917 strike by women textile workers in Petrograd, Russia, which sparked the Russian Revolution. Following the strike, the provisional government granted women the right to vote. While the day had been observed in various forms earlier in the early 20th century, March 8th became the global standard to honor the ongoing struggle for women's rights, equality, and justice. The Toolkit To build your 4-Image Fold, gather these supplies: The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Cardstock or A4 Paper: (Use thicker paper for a stronger, more satisfying "flip!") Glue or Double-Sided Tape Scissors or Craft Knife: (Safety First: Always ask an adult for assistance when using sharp cutting tools.) The Build: Step-by-Step Phase 1: Creating the Recatangle 1. Print and Prepare: Print all template pages onto A4 paper. For best results, use thicker cardstock to improve durability and folding performance. 2. Precision Cutting: Carefully cut along all the solid lines using your scissors or craft knife to form rectangular pieces. Avoid cutting the dotted lines—those are your fold guides! 3. Match and Attach: Align the two printed sheets by following the arrow symbols shown on the template. Glue or tape them together carefully to create one combined layout. 4. Create the Window Opening: Cut along the inner rectangle to remove the center section, forming a rectangular opening (like a frame). Phase 2: Folding Structure 5. First Fold:Fold and glue the left and right sides inward toward the center to form a long rectangle. Ensure the illustrations on your image perfectly match the reference photo; correct alignment now is the key to ensuring your image flips correctly later! 6. Second Fold: Repeat the same folding process on the opposite sides, creating a smaller layered rectangle. Press firmly along all folds to ensure clean edges and smooth flipping movement Your creation is complete! Now flip and fold the structure to reveal all four images. Each fold presents a new design celebrating empowerment and achievement as shown below. Success Checklist Fold Check: Do the panels fold smoothly in every direction? Alignment: Do the images align correctly after each fold? Proper alignment ensures all four designs appear clearly. Reveal Test: Can you flip through all four images easily without forcing the paper? The structure should transition naturally between each image. Structure Check: Does the craft hold its shape after folding and unfolding? Make sure all glued sections are securely attached. Sign up for free weekly templates delivered to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time. [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Show us your 4-Image Fold! Drop a comment below or share a video of your "4-Image Fold" to Instagram or TikTok and tag us with #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
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New Year: The Cubic Calendar
Did You Know? In Spain, they don’t just count down to the New Year—they eat for it! As the clock strikes midnight, it is tradition to ram twelve grapes down your throat, one for every chime of the bell. If you can finish all twelve in those twelve seconds, you’re guaranteed a year of good luck. To help you keep track of all that upcoming luck, we’ve engineered a calendar that shifts and turns just as fast as those midnight grapes! When to Celebrate The world hits "reset" every January 1st, but this Cubic Calendar is designed to keep you organized all year long. It’s the perfect desk companion for anyone who thinks a standard wall calendar is just a bit too... stationary. The Toolkit To build your Cubic Calendar, gather these supplies: The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Cardstock or A4 Paper: (Use thicker paper for a stronger, more satisfying "flip!") Adhesive Tape: (Clear office tape works best for the hinges). Double-sided Tape: (Recommended for the box assembly for instant adhesion). Scissors or Craft Knife: (Safety First: Always ask an adult for assistance when using sharp cutting tools.) The Build: Step-by-Step Phase 1: Creating the 8 Blocks 1. Print and Prepare: Print all the cube templates from your ssc_01_calendar_tem1 onto A4 paper. Using thicker cardstock will make your finished engineering much more durable. 2. Precision Cutting: Carefully cut along all the solid lines using your scissors or craft knife. Avoid cutting the dotted lines—those are your fold guides! 3. Apply Adhesive: Apply your double-sided tape onto all the adhesive flaps. 4. Box Assembly: Fold along the lines to form a box shape and press the tabs down firmly for an instant bond. Repeat this until you have 8 perfect paper cubes. 5. The Layout: Arrange your 8 cubes into two neat rows of four cubes each. Ensure the illustrations on your cubes perfectly match the reference photo; correct alignment now is the key to ensuring your calendar flips correctly later! 6. The First Hinges: Apply clear tape to the four locations marked 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the diagram below . You must use four strips of tape and be careful not to stick the rows together. 7. Center Connections: Apply tape to the top and bottom middle sections at locations 5 and 6 as shown in the reference image. 8. The Flip and Secure: Carefully flip all the cubes over as one unit. Apply tape to the two new locations marked 7 and 8 in the diagram. 9. The Fold: Gently fold the left row of cubes over the right row (folding the entire assembly in half). 10. The Final Link: Apply a single piece of tape to the final spot marked 9 in the picture below. Your creation is complete! Now flop and fold your Cubic Calendar around to find each month as shown below. January and February March and April May June July August September October November and December Success Checklist Hinge Check: Do the cubes rotate freely? If they feel stiff, ensure your tape hinges aren't too tight. Alignment: Do the illustrations line up when you flip the blocks? "The Loop Test:" Does the calendar cycle through all 12 months in a continuous loop without forcing the hinges? The Science Link: Kinematic Chains The Cubic Calendar is a classic example of a Kinematic Chain. By connecting solid parts (the cubes) with flexible joints (the tape), we create a loop that can move in a predictable, repeating pattern. It’s the same logic used in machines such as foldable space telescopes (look them up... they're insane!)! [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Show us your Cubic Calendar! Drop a comment below or share a video of your "Cubic Calendar" to Instagram or TikTok and tag us with #amomiiSSC. We want to see those calendars in motion! PROJECT CREDITS amomii Lead: Shaun Illustration: Steve Graphics & Templates: Kelly Video & Blog Content: Cindy & Vera
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Engineering the Year: The Launch of Seasonal Schematics Craft (SSC)
Welcome to the grand kickoff of our Seasonal Schematics Craft (SSC) series—a weekly celebration of our wonderfully whacky world! We are so excited to finally pull back the curtain on a project that has been in the works for a long time. The best part? We are making this entire series completely free. Whether you have been part of our journey from the start or are just discovering our particular brand of creative engineering, you likely already know what drives us. We are passionate about making the world of "making" accessible, imaginative, and—most importantly—an absolute blast. With SSC, we are taking that mission global (and a little bit eccentric) by delivering a new, free engineering project to our community every single week. What is Seasonal Schematics Craft? SSC is a weekly series dedicated to celebrating the world’s most vibrant, unique, and sometimes downright whacky cultural festivals through the lens of STEM and hands-on engineering. The world is full of incredible traditions, from the lantern-lit streets of the Lunar New Year to the intricate patterns of Diwali. We believe these moments are the perfect opportunity for children (and "big kids" too!) to learn how the world works while celebrating the beautiful diversity that makes our planet so interesting. How the Adventure Works To make sure these projects are accessible to everyone, we’ve split the experience into two parts: The Blog: This is our central hub. Here, you’ll find the cultural stories, the "whacky" facts behind the festivals, our step-by-step "build-along" videos, and written instructions. Your Inbox: This is where the magic happens. The actual digital engineering templates and printable schematics are delivered exclusively via our mailing list. By joining our community, you get the templates you need to build, while the blog provides the instructions and inspiration to bring them to life. A Global Team for a Global Project Bringing SSC to life is a massive team effort. While our team is truly international, we all work side-by-side in our amomii office in Taiwan. We wanted our internal crew to reflect the "whacky world" we celebrate, bringing together perspectives from different cultures, genders, and ages (ranging from 21 to 45). Here is the team making the magic happen: Shaun (UK): Founder & Educational Lead. Shaun leads the strategic vision for amomii and provides the educational scaffolding for the series, ensuring every craft is a meaningful learning experience. Steve (Canada): Lead Artist & Project Designer. Steve is the primary creative engine behind SSC. He researches the festivals, dreams up the project concepts, and creates the incredible hand-drawn art that brings each schematic to life. Kelly (Taiwan): Graphic Design & Templates. Kelly takes those designs and works her magic with coloring and layout, turning them into the professional digital templates you receive. Cindy (Indonesia) & Vera (Taiwan): Instructions & Video. This duo ensures you never get stuck. They are the hands in the video and the people behind the scenes—making, recording, and editing the builds as well as writing the steps for every project. Our 52-Week Mission (and We Need You!) Our goal is ambitious: 52 projects in one year. We want to build a library of global festival engineering that spans the entire calendar, but we don't want to do it in a vacuum. We want you and your mini-engineers to be part of our R&D team! We thrive on feedback, whacky ideas, and hearing about how your builds went. Your input will directly help us refine and improve these projects as we release them. By the end of this journey, we plan to compile all these community-tested schematics, stories, and builds into a complete physical book—a collection of adventures that families can keep on their shelves for years to come. How to Join the Adventure As we mentioned, SSC is completely free. To get the weekly PDF templates delivered straight to your inbox (usually 24 hours before the blog post goes live!), simply join our mailing list below. Click here to join our community and receive your first template! We can't wait to see what you build. Tag us on social media using #amomiiSSC and don't be shy about sending us your suggestions—let's build this whacky world together! About the Author: Shaun Armstrong is the founder of amomii and a former Head of STEAM with 16 years of teaching experience. He’s on a mission to turn every home into a laboratory for innovation.
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