How to Make a Diorama

A diorama is a mini-world--an entire landscape in a box, carry case, or window. You can create your own little world of model figures that can appear as a freeze frame of a historic event or anything else you want to create. Here's how to build your own diorama.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard Boxes Or Other Container
• Dollhouse Dolls
• Miniature Animals
• Miniature Trees
• Shoeboxes
• Hobby Paintbrushes
• Miniatures Animals, Foodstuffs, Vegetation and/or Building Elements
• Toy Dinosaurs
• Modeling Clays
• Poster Paints
• Glues Or Putty
• Acrylic Paints S Or Paper For Backdrop

1. Decide on a scale. This is key, because a diorama becomes believable to the extent that it looks "real." If you've got a focus (a Barbie doll, a particular plastic dinosaur), use that scale. If not, try 1 foot to 1 inch--that's standard for classic miniatures and doll houses.

2. Collect your materials--human and/or animal figures, palm trees or sugar cubes to build an igloo, or doll house furniture and miniature foods for an interior scene.

3. Decide on a background--you can paint or draw your own or use wallpaper or wrapping paper or anything else you can find. Remember, though, that the background images should be consistent with the scale you've chosen.

4. Choose a container. Many children's school projects use cardboard boxes or shoe boxes, but you can use just about anything. It should be light but fairly sturdy, especially if you will need to move the diorama around.

5. Build your diorama working from the back to the front. Start with the background by creating a horizon and sky/ceiling and ground/floor. Then place large objects such as trees. The smallest objects should be placed the closest to the front. Use glue or putty to secure the objects.

Tips & Warnings

• If cutouts are too thin to stand by themselves, back them with cardboard.