How to Make a Flap Jack Acrobat Toy

Use the pencil and ruler to draw a 5-by-4-inch block in the center of the paper. On both ends of the block add blocks 2.5-by-2.5 inches. On one end add another half inch for the tab. On your paper you should have a long rectangle split into three parts with a small tab at one end.

Extend the lines from the center block out 1.25 inches. These will be the sides of the flap jack tumbling acrobat. Since you will be rolling the paper into a tube, the sides need to be curved to fit correctly. Draw an arc making semicircles on both sides of the center block. Be sure to round off where the semicircles join the center block.

Add 1/2-inch tabs to the top of each semicircle.

Cut out the shape. Fold on all the lines then lay the paper flat.

Draw an acrobat in the center block with his hands in the air and feet spread. You want him to look like he's throwing the other acrobat in the air.

Repeat the top half of the center image in the bottom block so it looks like the acrobat in the center block is standing on the hands of the acrobat in the bottom block.

Draw the bottom half of the acrobat in the top square. Color in your drawing.

Curl your paper into a loop joining the two halves of the acrobat together. Tuck the tab inside and tape the ends together.

Fold up one side flat against the looped paper and tuck the tab inside. Tape closed.

Put two marbles inside the tumbling acrobat. Fold the side up, tuck the tab inside and tape shut.

Lay the long board on a slight incline. Stand the flap jack acrobat at the top and give him a gentle nudge to get going. He will flip his way down the board to the bottom.