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Boomerang Craft for Pre-K's

Boomerangs have been around for thousands of years. Although mostly associated with the Australian Aborigines, these hunting devices have even been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Children still love to see the boomerang "magically" return to their hand when they toss them in the air. Whether you want to create a boomerang from scratch or you purchase a kit, this can be an exciting way to teach the science of physics, or even the history of Australia, to a child. Boomerang crafts can be as simple or as elaborate as your age group will allow.

V-shaped Boomerangs
- V-shaped boomerangs are by far the most common boomerang, and have been around for thousands of years. Such a boomerang was even found in the Egyptian tomb of King Tut. A V-shaped boomerang should be cut as one piece to increase stability. Sketch your design before starting. Designs can be downloaded from the Internet or purchased from many craft supply stores. Make sure the boomerang's angle is greater than or less than 90 degrees. A boomerang with an exact 90-degree angle will not spin well.
Sport Boomerangs
- Although the traditional V-shaped design is the most recognizable boomerang, sport boomerangs can have three to five wings. These boomerangs are used in worldwide competitions and can travel up to 200 yards. Young children can create a sport boomerang easily by crossing two 12-inch rulers in a tight angle and securing them with rubber bands. Precut designs can be purchased and colored for a preschool-aged class. When cutting out a design, keep in mind if your child is right-handed or left-handed. The angle of the blades will have to be adjusted accordingly.
Building Materials
- There's a vast array of materials one can use to create a boomerang. Consider your age group and a price range. Clay can be formed, painted in ceramic paints and "baked" in a ceramic kiln. There is also clay available that only needs baking in your oven. Children love to make hand prints in fresh clay. An old cereal box can easily be cut into the shape of a boomerang. Styrofoam, poster board and card stock make great boomerangs. If you have the time or inclination, a boomerang can even be carved from a piece of wood.
Decoration
- Decorating can be a child's favorite part of creating a boomerang. Paint the base of the boomerang or have your child color it with felt markers. To re-create a popular Aboriginal design, bend one end of pipe cleaners into small loops to form the "head" of a snake. Bend the rest of the pipe cleaners in a wavy shape. Then glue the pipe cleaners along the wings of the boomerang. Of course, children always love to use stickers and Styrofoam cutouts. Have fun with it. Let your child's imagination run wild. Look online or in craft supply stores for more design ideas.

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