Fun Science Balancing Birdie Craft Activity (Free Template)
If your kids love science mysteries, they’ll love making their own magical balancing birdie.
This fun science Balancing Birdie science activity is for kids from 5 (with help) and up.
My science class was fascinated with the idea that a paper bird with a huge worm in its mouth could balance and even move back and forth with just a small, thin piece of paper touching their fingers.
How to Make the Balancing Birdie Craft Activity
This Balancing Birdie is so much fun. Print out the free template (below), you already have the other supplies around the house.
Materials
- Balancing Birdie printable
- Colors or markers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Paper clips
Instructions
Download the free Balancing Birdie template and print it on cardstock. Click here to download.
Color and cut out the pieces you need.
Glue the bird (back and front) together and the worm (back to front) together.
Fold the balancing tab in half on the fold line and glue the 2 sides together. Cut the dotted lines (A) on the tab and on the birdie.
Glue the worm to the beak so Worm’s nose is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches from Birdie’s tail.
Place the balancing tab on your finger and gently touch the head or the tail to make the Balancing Birdie tip back and forth.
There’s science behind this fun craft…
Place a paper clip on the tail and watch the center of gravity change. Now try the paper clip near the head of the worm.
How does it work?
Let’s experiment:
STAND UP STRAIGHT and slowly lean over to one side. How far can you lean before one leg lifts off the ground and your arms spread out? Your leg and your arms move to positions that will keep you from tipping over. Your body is finding its center of gravity.
Try to BALANCE AN OBJECT like an ice cream stick on your finger. You know you have found the center of gravity when the ice cream stick does not fall off your finger. Where the ice cream stick touches your finger is the center of gravity.
Balancing Birdie’s center of gravity will change when you add weight to the tail or beak. Try it.
We live near the beach and every once in a while, we see a surfer balance another person above his head, holding her with his hands.
As they ride the wave they must adjust her position to keep her balanced. If her center of gravity is off they both may tumble into the water.
More Center of Gravity Fun
Try finding the center of gravity using things around the house: pencils, broom, toy figures, flat objects, round objects. Try to balance them on your finger or arm.
Walk in a straight line, heel to toe. Can you do this with your arms straight down by your sides? What happens to your arms? Why?