Don't these balancers look great?

They work on a simple physics idea: if most of the weight is below the point of balance, then they'll balance!
Why not make the butterfly balancer and give it a try yourself?

Start with a plain piece of card. Fold it in half.
Now, start to draw the butterfly. Use the crease of the folded card as a left edge to work to.

The bottom wing must be much longer than the body.

Here's our template to help you draw it quickly.
When you've done, carefully cut the butterfly out.

But - if you try it, you'll see that it doesn't balance yet!
If you add two one penny coins to the back of the bottom of the butterfly wings, these will act as weights - and help it balance!
Decorate your butterfly however you like.

As well as using pens and paint, how about using glitter or feathers, and why not add some antennae?
If you want to make a different balancer, how about these three ideas? Here's a surfer, a diver, a performing elephant and a rocket! Just click on the one you'd like to load a template that you can print off and cut out.





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