It's the last week of the school term!!! Two weeks holiday ... YEAH!! I wanted an engaging, fun activity to celebrate ... I've been saving these Paper Toys for just such an occasion!
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| Paper Toy Shark |
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| Mermaid - Juliana K (Yr 1) |
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| Fairy - Ashli M (Yr 2) |
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| Army Dude - James A (Yr 6) |
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| Dragon - James R-S (Yr 5) |
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| Rabbit - Olivia D W (Yr 3) |
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| Tasman S (Year 1) |
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| Easter Bunny - Madeleine M (Yr 1) |
There are a number of Paper Toy sites out there - I found
Toy-A-Day on Pinterest (where else?) and decided to base the activity around this simple box plan that has lots of scope for the kids to be really creative with. This site has well over 200 downloadable PDF templates for toys based around a simple box. I wanted the kids to create their own toys rather than simply adding color... Toy-A-Day have a great blank template (which for one reason or another were not quite what I needed) so I adapted it to suit my needs...
I get two toys from one A4 sheet of 210gsm card, with left over space for creating fish tails, dragon wings, batman capes or whatever else is needed to complete their masterpieces!
We started by designing our characters - I had a couple of examples made up to give them an idea of the diversity of characters they could develop, then we brainstormed some more ideas - otherwise I gave them a completely free hand.
Then we transferred our designs to the templates with black felt-pen and added color with crayons.
Cut out (carefully!! Accuracy is vital, so this is one cutting exercise where I help the Prep kids!) fold, and glue together. Voila! We have superheros, mermaids, dragons and monsters to name just a few.... I think they have done a wonderful job! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Super cool!
Kids love these! I haven't done them in a year or two. I will have to remember to pull them out. I call them flat-pack toys and we discuss how flat packaging effects the costs of shipping in the real world!
Great idea! I like the resource too. Will give this lesson a go some time. Happy holidays! (Still a week to go over here...) :)
These are AWESOME! I would love to try them with my students as well! Elizabeth, maybe we could set up a Skype "visit" with your class. My art class meets your art class! I know we have a pretty large time difference, but maybe we can leave messages for each other. What do you think? :)
Hi Lauren, I'm really enjoying your blog. And what a fantastic idea! But unfortunately I don't think I can manage it at my end - I run after-school art classes at a different school each day of the week. We work in undercover areas (no classrooms) on collapsible tables with chairs borrowed from nearby classrooms. I tote in all the materials I need for each lesson - my storeroom is at home & in my car. NO computer access!! Otherwise I would have absolutely be in!!! :) :)
Hi Elizabeth
These are wonderful! A perfect end of term lesson plan. Thanks for posting the link to Toy-A-Day - it is a great resource for art teachers AND parents.
So much inspiration. What a nice blog! and so much good work. Congratulations to all the young artists.
I really loved the diversity of ideas and how they are executed well. Congratulations on the job bright and inspiring.
Hey...I just found your blog and I am loving it! Art teachers should rule the world...keep writing and posting! Thanks..
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