Looking for a fun and creative activity with your kids? Look no further! Make this adorable spring frog paper craft using our printable frog template. This craft is entertaining and educational because it also has a fantastic, free frog life cycle fold-out activity. So, gather your supplies, and let’s hop into crafting!
How to Make a Spring Frog Craft
Tip: Read more about the STEM principles behind the paper spring below!
Supplies:
- Printable frog template
- Green construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Markers or crayons
Instructions:
Step 1: Print and Cut Out the Frog Template—Download the printable frog template from our website. Once you have it, print it out on a piece of paper. Carefully cut out the frog shape along the outer edge. This will serve as the base for your paper spring frog.
Step 2: Cut the Frog Outline– Place the frog template onto the green construction paper and trace around it. Then, carefully cut out the frog shape from the green paper. This will be the body of your spring frog.
Step 3: Decorate the Frog– Now it’s time to add some personality to your frog! Use markers or crayons to color in your frog template.
Step 4: Create the Spring Mechanism– To make your frog spring to life, you’ll need to create a spring mechanism. Cut two strips of green paper, about 1 inch wide and 6-8 inches long. Fold it in accordion style to create a spring-like shape.
Step 5: Attach the Spring to the Frog– Glue or tape one end of the paper spring to the back of the frog’s body. Make sure it’s securely attached. Then, attach the other end of the spring to the base of the frog template.
Step 6: Test Your Frog– Once the glue is dry, gently press down on the frog’s body and release it. Watch as your paper spring frog jumps into action!
Paper Spring STEM Information
An accordion paper spring works based on the potential energy principle stored in the folded paper. When you compress or fold the paper in an accordion-like manner, you essentially store potential energy within the structure of the paper. This potential energy is then released when the paper expands or unfolds.
Learn more about potential and kinetic energy here.
Here’s a simplified explanation of how it works:
Compression: When you fold the paper accordion-style, you compress it into a smaller space. As you fold the paper, you apply force against its natural tendency to remain flat. This requires energy stored within the folded paper as potential energy.
Release: When you release the folded paper, the potential energy stored in its compressed form is converted into kinetic energy as the paper returns to its original, flat state. The folds act like springs, pushing against each other and causing the paper to expand outward.
Spring-like Action: The folds of the accordion paper act like a series of miniature springs. As you release the paper, each fold unfolds sequentially, releasing the stored energy and propelling the paper forward or causing it to jump, depending on how it’s attached to another object (like in the case of a paper spring frog).
Repetition: The accordion paper can be compressed and released repeatedly, making it ideal for creating simple mechanical devices like paper springs. Each time you compress and release the paper, the potential energy is stored and then released, creating a repetitive motion.
In essence, the accordion paper spring utilizes the elastic properties of the paper material itself, coupled with the stored potential energy from compression, to create a spring-like action that can be harnessed for various purposes in crafts and mechanical projects. Pretty cool!
Find more paper STEM projects here!
Free Printable Frog Life Cycle Fold-Out Activity
When you finish your frog paper craft, add this second frog paper foldout craft to learn about the life cycle!
More Frog Activities (and other fun things)
Find more fun and free printables for frogs, animals, and bugs!
- Frog Life Cycle Color By Number
- Mini Frog Activity Pack
- Ladybug Life Cycle Activity Pack
- Bug Life Cycles Playdough Mats
- In the Pond Playdough Mats
- Animal Bingo Games
Animal Adaptations Activities Pack for Kids
This project pack is Suitable for elementary-age students at home or in the classroom!
Discover the wonders of the animal kingdom with our engaging Animal Adaptations Activity Pack! Packed with hands-on activities like the Beak Buffet and Camouflage Collage, your students will dive into how animals adapt to their environments.
From fun crosswords and word searches to informative sheets and interactive fill-in-the-blanks, this pack is designed to make learning about animal adaptations fun and educational. Bring the excitement of the natural world into your classroom today!
Explore the fascinating world of animal adaptations with our comprehensive Activity Pack, featuring:
- Beak Buffet: Discover how different beak shapes are adapted for specific diets.
- Camouflage Collage: Unveil the art of blending in with surroundings through a hands-on collage activity.
- Challenging Crosswords and Word Searches: Test knowledge while having fun with interactive puzzles.
- Informative Sheets: Dive deep into the science behind various animal adaptations with our informational resources.
- Interactive Fill-in-the-Blanks: Engage students with interactive worksheets that reinforce key concepts.
- And much more! Our pack ensures an enriching learning experience for all with a variety of activities to choose from.
