How to Build a Construction Paper Totoro
Totoro is the main character of the 1988 Japanese animation flick "My Neighbor Totoro." The film was dubbed with English subtitles and released in 2006, using the voices of actors such as Dakota Fanning. In the movie, two sisters discover that they live in a forest "inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros," according to the New York Times. O Totoro, the forest king, comforts the sisters while their mother is hospitalized and takes them on an adventure. Watch the movie with your children, and then lead them in a Totoro art project. Using art supplies from around the house, they can make a personal version of Totoro from construction paper.
Things You'll Need
- Online image of Totoro
- 1 gray sheet of art paper (8-1/2x11 or larger)
- 1 white sheet of art paper (8-1/2x11 or larger)
- 1 black marker
- 1 set of plastic doll eyes
- 1 washable glue stick
- 1 children's safety scissors
Instructions
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Search for and print an image of Totoro. Enter "Totoro" in your online search box. You will use this image as your model.
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Draw and cut out the "gray parts." Vertically place the gray sheet of art paper in front of you. Free-hand draw an oval about the size of your hand. This is Totoro's body. Draw two smaller, skinnier ovals. Use a tube of lipstick as a guide. These are Totoro's arms. Draw two small, narrow triangles. These are Totoro's ears. Cut out all the parts, and place to the side.
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Draw and cut out the "white parts." Totoro's belly and teeth are white. To create his belly, draw a circle about 3 inches wide. You don't need to measure; just estimate. Next draw a smile line. Draw another smile line directly above it so that the top and bottom smile connect. This leaves room to fill in the teeth. Cut out all the parts, and place to the side.
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Glue Totoro together. Begin with the gray oval body and the gray arms. Rub glue on the top ends of the arms, and stick to the sides of the oval body. Rub glue on the base of the gray triangle ears, and stick to the top of the oval. Rub glue on the white circle, and place in the middle of the oval. Rub glue on the smile, and stick it the upper part of Totoro's oval body. Keep in mind that you want to leave room on the upper part of the oval for Totoro's eyes.
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Attach eyes. You can get Totoro's eyes from a craft supply store. They often are located in the same place as doll-making materials. Rub glue on the back of the eyes, and press them firmly above Totoro's smile.
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Add details with a black marker. Totoro needs three black whiskers on each cheek and a black oval for a nose. He also has eight triangular markings on his belly. Refer to your printed image of Totoro, and mimic those details using the black marker.
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