By now you all know that I am a lover of cardboard (as professed in my latest book, Cardboard Creations), and am always thinking of new ways to re-use my collection of recycled boxes. These patterned cardboard animals were really fun to make both for me and my kids! They sit on our mantle currently and I love how they bring a pop of color and whimsy to our home.
Originally published in February, 2014 on the blog Small for Big:
We have sooo many boxes left over from our move last month. A sea of brown boxes. If any of you have moved recently, you know what a bummer it can be to have these boxes still sitting in the corners of all your rooms. The recycler in me had to make something out of them. These animals only took two boxes, unfortunately. But I have only just begun!
My daughter is studying French animal names at the moment so I took inspiration from her this time as I made the templates.
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Supply List to Make Patterned Cardboard Animals:
~ Cardboard boxes or cereal boxes
~ Templates: le chat, le chien, la chèvre, le renard, le cheval, le pingouin
~ Pencil or marker for tracing
~ Tempera paints & brushes
Instruction for Making Patterned Cardboard Animals:
1. Print out the templates, trace onto the cardboard, then cut with the X-acto knife.
2. Paint animals with a base coat first. I always encourage my kids to mix their own colors instead of using straight out of the bottle. I tell them to at least add white to make it a little more opaque.
3. When the first coat is dry, they can make their patterns! I sometimes have the kids practice making patterns on a separate piece of paper. This way they have their pattern in mind before starting.
Of course if you have younger children, you can just let them explore with paint any way they want! I would leave the pattern-making to older kids and grown-ups.
These animals are from my book, Cardboard Creations, and they are geared much more towards younger children. Here, the kids created, cut, and painted their own animals. I love these even more because they are completely original!
Can’t wait to see what animals you and your children create. Makes sure to tag me on Instagram: @artbarblog and using the hashtag #artbarinspired.
xo Bar
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Did you like this post? Here are more animal art ideas for your kids:
OMG!!! These are fantastic beyond belief amazing!!! I’m gushing in every way. I LOVE these!!!
awww…thank you meri cherry! i wish i had all day to cut and paint animals. alas, i have jobs and chores and kids!! but i’m so happy you could appreciate them 🙂 xo bar
These look so cheery!
How do I print off the free templates for the cardboard animals? I also want a set to punch holes around the outside for stitching.
hi marlilyn…great idea!! printing should be a cinch. just click on the red words that say Small for Big at the bottom of the post. this will take you to their blog where you can click on the words of the different animals which will allow you to print the PDF templates. hope this helps…let me know if you have more questions! xo bar
Hi loved your puffy stars , how can I print it .
I love using cardboard to make different things with my kids too! But my biggest challenge is that it takes a lot of my strength to cut the cardboard, and it’s hard to cut intricate shapes out. Yours look so good! I wonder if you have any tips for cutting 🙂
hi Joyce, I know what you mean. it’s not easy cutting the cardboard. for this animals, I used an X-acto knife with a new blade, and then I have a self-healing cutting mat that goes underneath, that is the key. for bigger, straight cuts – like cutting down a box to smaller pieces – I use a Klever Kutter. life changing! all of these you can find on Amazon. hope this helps! xo Bar