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Boomerang : Assembly Instructions
Tuning your paper boomerang before throwing it
(1) Fold along the fold lines on the bottom surface. Fold these in line with
the angle of the bottom flap gauge. Fold up for right-handed throwing;
fold down for left-handed throwing.
Fold
Fold
Fold
Fold
(2) With the top surface on top, place the boomerang on a desk or other
flat surface and gently bend up the tip of each wing in line with the
gauge. While doing so, ensure the center of the boomerang's bottom
surface remains in contact with the flat surface.
Wing tip gauge
Raise the tip about this much
Other fun things to try with a boomerang
When you've learned how to catch the boomerang, see how many
times you can catch it out of ten throws.
Use a stopwatch to see how many times you can catch the boomerang
within 30 seconds or a minute.
Try throwing with one foot raised or catching the boomerang without
moving your feet.
Use something to mark a spot on the floor, then throw the boomerang
while standing above the mark to see how close to that mark you can
get it to fall. Assign points based on distance from the mark (for
example, 10 points if it lands on the mark and five points if it lands 30
cm from the mark). Challenge a friend to see who gets the most points
in five throws!
Scatter a few balloons around the room and compete with a friend to
see who can hit the most balloons. Try competing for points, assigning
more points for more distant balloons and fewer points for closer ones.
We recommend using paper craft boomerangs indoors only. Outdoors, the effects of
imperceptible breezes may affect flight characteristics, keeping them from returning
properly.
Don't throw boomerangs on streets or walkways used by vehicles or pedestrians.
Keep your surroundings in mind when throwing a boomerang to avoid striking people
or animals.
Strong folds will tend to
give boomerangs short
flight distances; a less
pronounced fold will make
the boomerang fly farther.
Folding
Flap gauge
angle
If the tip points up, the
boomerang will fly high; if
the tip points down, it will
fly low.
Wing tip
Paper boomerang warnings
Hints for improving boomerang flight
(1) Hold the boomerang with its top along your thumb (face side), gripping
it with your thumb and positioning it all the way to the base of the
thumb.
(2) Hold the boomerang aloft beside your head and
throw it up, snapping your wrist to impart spin.
Throw it the way you would throw a paper airplane.
Move your hand forward rather than downward, as
if throwing a dart.
(3) When throwing the boomerang, aim at an imaginary
point slightly above eye level. Try to avoid aiming
for a point that's too high.
(4) If you threw the boomerang
correctly, it will return, spinning
counterclockwise if you're right-
handed or clockwise if left-handed.
(5) Gently catch the boomerang when it
returns, using both hands. If you
bend it while catching it, tune it
once again. Note that a paper boomerang will not return properly if
you throw it too hard. Keep practicing until you can use your wrist to
impart as much spin as possible.
Tips for building a left-handed boomerang
Use the surface with no design printed on it as the top.
Tune the boomerang by bending the flaps down.
When bending the wing tips up, keep the surface with no design printed on it on top.
Throw the boomerang with the surface with no design printed along your thumb (face
side).
Try this
Throw a paper boomerang, then measure the time it takes to return.
Consider how you can make the
boomerang fly for longer.
Use a paper punch to punch holes in the
wings of your paper boomerang. This
will create unique humming noises as it
flies. Experiment to get your boomerang
to make sounds you like best.
To make your paper boomerang fly
farther, attach a loop of cellophane tape
to the wing tips. When doing so, be
aware of your surroundings and be sure
to throw the boomerang in a spacious
area.
Once you've built a paper boomerang
that can fly long distances, try building
another one. Throw the first one, then
throw the second while the first one is still
in the air. Try to catch and throw the first
boomerang before the second one
returns, then do the same with the second
boomerang. See how long you keep
'juggling' your boomerangs. Think of
them as flying beanbags!
Be careful to ensure the boomerang flies only in the intended direction and won't veer
off-course and strike people or objects. Never throw the boomerang sidearm.
Retrieving your paper boomerang if it gets stuck in high places can be dangerous. Ask
an adult to help you retrieve your boomerang.
We recommend using goggles to protect your eyes when playing with your
boomerang.
Adults should carefully monitor small children playing paper boomerangs.
Punched hole
Punched hole
Cellophane tape
Cellophane tape
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