How to Make a Zebra Out of Pipe Cleaners

Create a lively jungle scene or diorama with pipe cleaner zebras. Pipe cleaner zebra crafts are good for decorating classrooms, bedrooms and playrooms. These crafts are easy to make, and with a minimal amount of adult supervision can be made by most children.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3 white pipe cleaners
• 1 fluffy black pipe cleaner
• Black permanent marker
• Black felt
• Pink felt
• Hot glue
• Scissors
• Self adhesive eyes

1. Fold one pipe cleaner in half. Using one half of the pipe cleaner, shape a loop in the center of the pipe cleaner that resembles the shape of a zebra's head. Continue to wrap that half of the pipe cleaner around the loop until the entire half is used. Note that the size of the loop will influence the size of the zebra's head. Leave the remaining half of the pipe cleaner straight.

2. Wrap a different white pipe cleaner around the black marker. Wrap the pipe cleaner tightly so that no gaps are apparent. Gently slip the pipe cleaner off of the end of the marker.

3. Cut the remaining white pipe cleaner in half. Divide half of one of the pipe cleaner halves into half again and cut. Shape the two pieces into a v-shape. These are the zebra's legs.

4. Assemble the body by sliding one v-shaped leg section over the straight length of the pipe cleaner head. Twist the pipe cleaner around the base once to stabilize it.

5. Add the coiled pipe cleaner onto the straight section of the pipe cleaner behind the front legs.

6. Place the second set of legs onto the straight pipe cleaner behind the coiled body section. Wrap the leg section around the pipe cleaner base to secure it in place.

7. Cut the remaining straight section of the pipe cleaner away from the zebra's body, leaving only a small tail.

8. Cut two one inch sections from the black fluffy pipe cleaner. Affix one section to the small tail at the end of the zebra's body. Glue the other black fluffy pipe cleaner to the head of the zebra for the mane.

9. Cut two small ears from the black felt and two slightly smaller ears from the pink felt. Glue the pink felt inside the black felt, and glue the ears to the zebra.

10. Add black stripes to the zebra by using the black permanent marker. Affix one eye to each side of the zebra's face.

Tips & Warnings

• Use extra large pipe cleaners to make larger zebras. A variation of the zebra can be made using black and white stripped pipe cleaners.
• Use a low temperature hot glue gun to help prevent serious burns. Never let children use a hot glue gun without direct adult supervision.

References

• Pipe Cleaner Art; Animals
• Pipe Cleaner Creations