Paper Crafting: Flip Ears

Whether you need something to do with the kids or some inspiration for your next print project, here’s a hands-on activity that can serve as a creative break for your whole family. Below are some resources to aid you in making this paper flip ears crafting project.

Suggestion: This could easily become a greeting card (just in time for easter), if you wanted to write a message on the back panel, or on the inside of the animal’s ears. 

How-To Video

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Choose a template and print it off. (Download above.)
2. Color the template. If you have design programs on your computer, you could also color the fish using one of those before printing it off. The back panel of the body piece would be a great place for a message, if you wanted this to be a card.
3. Cut out the pieces of the chosen animal along the solid blue lines. Make sure to also cut the slit in the middle of the body.
4. Slide the ear piece through the slit, from the back, so that the teeth/tongue/nose is on the top of the body.
5. Line up the head piece with the tab in between the gap in the ears.
6. Fold the tab over and secure it with a piece of tape. Make sure you don’t accidentally tape any part of the ear piece, or else the ears won’t flip up.
7. Make a capacity fold on the ears. Find the two fold lines where the ears join the top of the “T.” Fold on each line, so in two places on each ear. These two folds allow for the ears to flip much more fluidly.
8. Lay the now almost completely assembled project face down. Fold over the angled tab on the body piece.
9. Glue and close the back panel onto the tab, securing it shut. 
10. Flip the project back over and glue the cheeks of the animal. Make sure to glue just the very sides of the cheeks, not where the teeth/tongue/nose of the animal is. You need that part to move freely.
11. Done! Pull the teeth of the rabbit, the tongue of the dog, or the nose of the elephant to make the ears flip up.