How to Make a Chipmunk With Preschool Children
Chipmunks are woodland creatures that captivate young children and nature lovers. According to "National Geographic," chipmunks are the smallest members of the squirrel family and eat berries and nuts. Teach preschool-aged children about chipmunks and how animals hibernate in the winter by making a chipmunk. Craft the simple three-dimensional animal with a brown bag and a found pine cone for the tail. Take the children on a nature walk to gather the pine cones, if possible, and recycle used paper scraps for the chipmunk's body.
Things You'll Need
- Paper scraps
- Brown lunch bag
- Clear tape
- Ribbon
- Safety scissors
- Pencil
- Brown construction paper
- Glue
- Pine cone
- Black marker
Instructions
-
-
1
The Best Kids Book Site suggests filling a brown lunch bag with old paper scraps. Fold down the opening of the bag so the filled bag is a rectangular-oval shape. Tape it closed with clear tape. Be sure it is flat so the creature can stand.
-
2
Stand the bag upright with the tape at the bottom. The chipmunk will be standing upright on his hind feet. Tie a ribbon around the bag approximately one-third from the top to create a neckline. Tie a bow and cut off excess with safety scissors.
-
-
3
Draw four oval shapes about 2 inches long with a pencil on brown construction paper for the chipmunk's arms and feet. Cut them out with the scissors.
-
4
Glue the feet by placing a drop of glue onto one end of a paper oval. Slide in underneath one side on the bottom of the bag. Repeat the gluing with the other foot and slide it underneath the other side of the bottom of the bag.
-
5
Dab glue onto one end of another paper oval piece and press it into the side of the bag, underneath the ribbon neck. Glue the other arm in the same fashion but on the other side of the bag.
-
6
Glue the pine cone to the opposite side of the bag from the arms and feet. Either stand the pine cone up or glue it horizontal to the bag for the tail. Draw a face in the area above the ribbon with black marker, and give him some chipmunk stripes.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use this craft for an autumn or winter lesson and read a story or poem about chipmunks.
Glue found acorns to one of the arms on the chipmunk.
Pretend to hibernate with the chipmunk craft. Gather food and then hide the chipmunk in a pretend hollow tree.
Younger preschool children may need some adult guidance.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
