How to Make a Cotton Ball Polar Bear

Making a polar bear is a nice way to while away the hours around Christmas. This polar bear, made from a paper plate and cotton balls, also makes a good school project. When it's finished, the bear can serve as either a toy or a decoration. Try to save this craft project for days when it's impractical to go outside. (International Polar Bear Day, which takes place on February 27, is another reason to indulge in some polar-related activities.)

Things You'll Need

• Paper plate
• Hot glue
• Craft sticks
• Craft paint
• Paint brush
• Cotton balls

Instructions

1. 

   Protect your workspace with newspaper, and put on a smock to protect your clothing. Attach four craft sticks to the top of a paper plate with hot glue. After the glue has cooled, turn the plate upside down.

2. 

   Paint a toilet paper roll white on the outside. Also paint the inside white, both at the top and bottom. Allow the roll to dry completely. This piece is the polar bear's head.

3. 

   Using a slender paintbrush, paint blue eyes, a black nose and mouth on the toilet paper roll . Once the paint has dried, paint black pupils on the eyes. In the meantime, draw two ear shapes on the unfinished side of a cereal box. Make sure you leave some extra chipboard at the bottom so you can attach them to the craft. Cut out the ears and trim them to make sure they're exactly the same shape and size. Paint them white. Once dry, attach the ears to the head with hot glue on the inside of the toilet paper roll.

4. 

   Paint white reflections on the eyes. Paint pink shapes on the center of the polar bear's ears. Paint the reverse side of the ears white and allow them to dry.

5. 

   Attach the polar bear's head to the paper plate with hot glue. Then use the hot glue to secure large cotton balls to the bear's back. Start on the edge and work your way inward to the center of the craft. When the back is covered, attach two cotton balls to each leg.

Tips & Warnings

• If the polar bear's facial features look jagged, go back over the outer edges with white paint to smooth them out.

• This polar bear craft would look very attractive sitting by the fireplace or underneath the Christmas tree.

• Don't allow young children to handle hot glue. Supervise older children very carefully when they use the glue gun.