How to make a flik-flak
A step-by-step guide
What you need
• a plastic card
• a paper clips (or match sticks)
• rubber bands of various sizes
• scissors
• electrical tape or gaffer tape
• a hole punch
(if you are not using the STELR flik flak which is
already pre-punched)
STEP 1
• Cut the plastic card in half
• Punch a hole in each half at the same place as shown.
STEP 2
• Place tape along the two halves to re-join them
• Leave a small gap so that the halves of the card can flex.
STEP 3
• Fold the rubber band in half and thread one end through one of the holes
in the card.
STEP 4
• Thread a matchstick or paper clip through the loop created by the rubber
band passing through the card.
STEP 5
• Pull the rubber band tight to create tension to hold the
matchstick or paper clip in place.
STEP 6
• A small piece of tape can be used to hold the matchstick or
paperclip in place if necessary.
STEP 7
• Thread the other end of the rubber band through the second hole.
STEP 8
• Tie a knot in the rubber band on the outside of the card so that the two halves
are folded into a ‘V’ shape.
STEP 9
• You may need to use another matchstick or paperclip to secure the knot,
depending on the thickness of your rubber band.
STEP 10
• Hold the flik flak down flat so that the matchstick or paperclip is on the top
side and slide your fingers off the card, along the join, and watch the flick
flack jump!
Try this
Experiment with different variables to see how they affect the height that the
flik flak jumps.
Try altering:
• the length of the rubber band
• the strength (thickness) of the rubber band
• the position of the knot in the rubber band
• The type of tape used to join the two halves of the flik flak.
What conditions make the flik flak jump the highest?
Why?