While drawing is a great way to bring out the creativity in children, how do we go one step further and make them sculpt? With this simple activity, we can enable our children to make simple animal sculptures using cardboard. Using the similar techniques, children can make their own puppets. This activity is also a great way to introduce different techniques to join cardboards. This works best as an individual activity. Now let’s get started!
Resources needed per student
Cardboard
Sellotape
Scissors
Glue / Glue Gun
Small screws with nuts
Ruler
Pencil & Eraser
Time Needed
1 hour
Instructions for students
Step 0:
Explain to students the different techniques to join cardboards. You can check out this instruction set for reference.
Step 1:
Think and shortlist the animals that you would like to sculpt with cardboard.
Step 2:
Draw the profiles of the animals in the cardboard. The primary focus can be just on body shape and legs.
Step 3:
Cut out the parts and get ready to assemble.
Step 4:
Once you assemble, the animals are ready!
You can also add details to the animals to make them look more interesting.
Instructions for Teachers
Push students to think
It’s very likely that most students come up with the same design. Probe students to think divergently. As a facilitator, you can also set conditions that each student has to come up with 4 animals of their own from different habitats (Forest, Water, Polar, etc.). Get creative in pushing the children to think.
Ration Resources Well
Students can potentially waste lots of cardboards during this activity. Constrain the amount of resources available to them and set clear norms that they won’t be provided with anything extra.
Understanding of Cardboard joints
Ensure that the students have a clear understanding of the different cardboard joints taught. You can also set conditions that they have to use at least two different joints in their creation.
Make stories
Encourage students to make their own stories with the sculptures/puppets that they would have made. Let their creativity run free!
Have fun making and share the works of your students with the hashtag #projectprayogshala to get featured!