Simple Jumping Toy

Thanks for the votes in the Klutz competition, although it does seem like a gimmick for a dieing company who needed more ideas....oh well!

This project may be an eye hazard, so keep your child under close supervision, unless they are into eye patches..

Everyone likes comments,so keep them coming!

Materials:
1 straw
tape ( I used duct tape)
1 skewer
1 rubberband

You also need some scissors

Cut the straw to about a 5 inch piece. Cut the rubberband and tape it to the bottom of the straw so that the rubberband stays on the top of the straw and doesnt fall off, but not too tight. Also, put a atran of tape aroud the top of the straw to keep it from splitting.

Now get the skewer. First cut off the tip (safety first). If you are under the age of 10, then you should ask a parent to cut it for you. Cut the skewer so that if you slide it in the straw, about 3-4 inches of skewer will still be sticking out.

Slide the cut skewer into the straw and tape the top of the rubberband to the top of the skewer.

Finished! Now have fun launching them. To launch, put the skewer on the ground and pull down the straw. When you let go, the fun jumper should go flying into the air. You can even tape a paper airplane to it or you can launch it from your hand! You can modify it to jump higher also. The length of the skewer, length of the straw, and tightness of the rubberband effect how high it jumps. Just be careful and don't launch it towards anyones eyes.