Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tumble Bunnies

I made an Easter version of an old tumbling toy for Disney FamilyFun Magazine. The toy uses marbles to propel itself. Usually, it's a tumbling acrobat. It used to be popular in China, then in the nineteenth century it made it's way to Europe and became a popular folk toy. It's pretty clever, and really fun to watch. It works best on a surface that's not too slick, like couch cushions, or blankets. Watch the video below to see it in action and learn how to make it. There's a template at the bottom of this post, so give it a try! If your kids do some nice coloring on their bunnies, it would be great to see them. Feel free to post photos or videos on the Made by Joel Facebook page! Happy Tumbling!






Click on the template below, then print.

at

48 comments:

  1. Papier, Ciseaux, Cailloux...March 29, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    I love the culbuto (in french)... So much fun ! I do that when I was younger and I always find so incredable that small and "old" game are always in the top of the game... So when my little girl was younger, I create two pieces and the first arrived was the winner ! Pfff... I lost often... ;-)
    (sorry for my little english)
    Have a good week and thanks for all your ideas ! Flo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Joel HenriquesMarch 29, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Thanks Flo! Good idea to make two and have races! Each template has two bunnies, so that's perfect. Nice one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I Live in an AntbedMarch 29, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Simplicity + Beauty + Function= Brilliance
    My kids are excited!!!! Thank you, again, for sharing such incredible things with us!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tricia OrchardMarch 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    How cool is that! Thanks for the template!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Wow!
    Amazing!
    Great for Easter, when I'm expecting my best friend and her kids. There'll be some bunny racing in the garden ,indeed!
    Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us!
    Greetings from Greece!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MarineMarch 29, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    That's excellent...!!! Thank you very much...!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    I think my kids will love these!

    Question though: should we print these out on cardstock I presume? I would think regular paper would be too thin. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Clementine-IllustrationMarch 29, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Simple et super !

    ReplyDelete
  9. minttuMarch 29, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Wow! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Joel HenriquesMarch 29, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Thanks everyone!

    nanannwoogies - Actually, regular paper will work fine too. I made one from cardstock, and one from regular, and for some reason the thin paper one was a bit faster! Might have been something other than the paper though. Or maybe the thin paper is more bendable, and creates less friction? So yeah, try them both out. The thick paper, I think, will last longer at least.

    ReplyDelete
  11. NathalieMarch 29, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    So funny! Thanks for the template :o)

    ReplyDelete
  12. EllenQMarch 29, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Adorable and simple - a winning combo!

    ReplyDelete
  13. CaronMarch 29, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    I tried this at lunchtime with my 2.5 year-old and it works perfectly! So cute! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownMarch 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    I LOVE this Joel! My kids will find these in their baskets this year... THANK YOU for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jenn GirlMarch 29, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Cute! Love the Paul Klee book!

    ReplyDelete
  16. CGMarch 29, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Fantastic! Can't wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Meine grüne WieseMarch 29, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Thanks from Bavaria!
    Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  18. LiaMarch 29, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  19. PattiMarch 29, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    How fun! My 7 yr. old is sitting here hollering "print them out, print them out!" LOL I guess we're playing Tumble Bunnies this afternoon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. LoriMarch 29, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I love all of your toy ideas. I think I need to print this one out for a bunch of nephews & nieces!

    ReplyDelete
  21. CariMarch 29, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    I am in charge of an Easter themed craft at my sons preschool in a few weeks and these will be PERFECTION! Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Thanks so much for answering -- now I can try right away!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    I can't decide whether to let my little ones put these together on their own or to make them for the easter basket!

    ReplyDelete
  24. pa[u]March 29, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    it's great! my son (3 years old) wanted to watch the video again and again ...
    we will test very soon! Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. HelmiMarch 30, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    So cute, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. UmatjiMarch 30, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    a great chocolate free easter present! great. I have made tumbling men out of felt before with an inner card section. I wonder if you could do the same for bunnies!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Patricia Ágreda FerránMarch 30, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    This is soooo fun, Joel! I love it :)
    It'll be great also if we print out a few of them in different colored papers... or much better if each kid (if they're several) paints its own... as to distinguish each one in the "Bunnies Race"!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nadia MICHOTMarch 30, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    J'adore !!!
    Bravo
    Nadia

    ReplyDelete
  29. singlemamaMarch 31, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    wow! just like my mrs. somersoult but much more easier to do!

    :-)

    http://singlemamafranny.blogspot.com/2011/02/il-signor-capitombolo-mr-somersault.html

    ReplyDelete
  30. JackieApril 1, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    Oh this is sooo perfect. I've been playing bunny races with my almost three year old all day! Thank you so very much.

    ReplyDelete
  31. sherbearApril 2, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    I have printed out 2 and my girls will make them when they get up :) Cute!

    ReplyDelete
  32. le banc moussuApril 3, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    One more beautiful idea!
    thanks Joel.
    christian

    ReplyDelete
  33. StaciApril 3, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    So clever, like all your toys! I'm including this in my Friday Favorites this week!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Pancakes For Recess (Pawan)April 5, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Oh my, this is the cutest thing ever! I'm going to have my class make them with their big buddies in 7th grade. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Judy JowersApril 6, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Instead of felt on a board, I used shelf liner ("grip liner") on a flattened cardboard box:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/judyjowers/5587913429/

    ReplyDelete
  36. Joel HenriquesApril 6, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Thanks everyone!

    Judy Jowers - Great idea with the shelf liner! I've got to try that! I have a roll of that somewhere. Cool!

    ReplyDelete
  37. M u s sApril 9, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    Such a GREAT idea, thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  38. LisaApril 13, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    I loved the video but when I tried to make it with regular xerox paper, the bunny only slides, it doesn't not tumble. Do I need a heavier paper like a construction paper?
    Thanks,

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    followup:
    I made two changes that did work:
    1)used construction paper,
    And
    2)used a felt, or a blanket as the path, either one worked fine.

    I had used a guitar case, which was too slippery. Xerox paper doesn't work on felt or blanket either. Has to be construction paper on felt or blanket.

    Great toy. Thanks, Joel.

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    hard to cut out for younger hands but worked TOGETHER.. we used card stock and GUMBALLS
    what fun!Taking a stack all ready cut out for Easter for the little kids at family dinner.
    barb and boys

    ReplyDelete
  42. Joel HenriquesApril 15, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Thanks everyone! And yes, I like Judy's idea (above) about using the grip shelf liner stuff for a bunny tumbling surface, if felt or blankets aren't working! Maybe even an up-side-down bath mat would work nicely.

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    WooHoo! Just printed up 3 sheets of
    Tumble Bunnies!
    Adán is going to put them together
    for his cousin Ruby (2yrs. old) and
    we're gonna watch those bunnies
    tumble and r-r-roll :* )

    ReplyDelete
  44. SANDRA MARIAApril 19, 2011 at 3:53 AM

    Adorei a ideia do coelho,tenho um saci com o mesmo principio, não sei se vc conhece este personagem pois faz parte do folclore brasileiro ele é um menino negro muito traquina que só tem uma perna daí o nome do brinquedo saci saltador. Coloquei a lenda e o brinquedo no meu blog pega lá...http://epubliquese.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  45. SofiaApril 19, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    We used to do the same, but with real egg instead.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Pancakes For Recess (Pawan)April 20, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Another wonderful idea! I'm going to try this with my first graders tomorrow - they're going to love it! And congrats on the news of your new little girl. Best wishes to you!

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousApril 22, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    Mine is printing small rather than the full width of the paper. any ideas?
    so cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Joel HenriquesApril 22, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Thanks everyone!

    Anonymous - It's probably a setting in your printing software. Look for something that says "scale 50%" or similar, and either uncheck that box, or turn the scale to 100%. That's my guess anyway. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete