Make a DIY Easter Bunny

In this activity students will learn about simple mechanisms using linkages made from paper products. Learners will have an opportunity to use a template to help them cut out the parts for a cardboard Easter bouncing bunny.

This fun STEM challenge aimed at primary school children could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners about linkages.

Activity: Make an Easter bunny puppet with moving arms and legs

This is one of a set of resources designed to allow learners to use Easter themes to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology and Mathematics. This resource focuses on building a card structure, which uses linkages to make the limbs of a bunny move.

Follow this step-by-step guide to make your own Easter bouncing bunny:

• Step 1 – Safely cut out all the bunny parts. Stick them onto card or cardboard. When the glue is dry, cut out the cardboard parts.
• Step 2 – Make the 13 holes in the parts. Put an eraser or sticky tack behind the hole, then push a sharp pencil in to make a small hole.
• Step 3 – Connect the arms and legs to the body with brass fasteners.
• Step 4 – Tie string to the head. Thread string through the arms.
• Step 5 – Cross the strings over and thread the string through the legs. Tie the string in a knot.
• Step 6 – Test your bunny to check that the arms and legs move.

Learners will complete each step for themselves. Once everyone has made their bouncing bunny, the teacher will discuss the results of the activity with learners. The teacher will also explain how linkages are used to make objects move.

Download the free activity sheet below for more detailed instructions, teachers notes and for optional extension work.

This exercise will take approximately 50 – 80 minutes.

Tools/resources required

• Glue sticks
• Card or cardboard
• Scissors
• String
• Brass fasteners
• Pencils
• Erasers/sticky tack
• Elastic bands

The engineering context

Engineers must have a good understanding of mechanisms. Mechanisms are used in every machine that has moving parts, from trains, cars, and washing machines to a space rocket.

Suggested learning outcomes

By the end of this activity students should be able to understand how to use a linkage to create movement and they will be able to make and assemble a bouncing bunny with moving arms and legs.

Download the free Make an Easter bunny puppet with moving arms and legs activity sheet below!

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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