How to Make a Hanging Mobile of 13 Colonies

Teachers across the country are teaching their students about the early colonial history of the United States and which states make up the 13 colonies. You may get assignments that involve arts and crafts as you work on colonial history. Make a mobile, because with the exception of shaping the hanger, parental involvement will be limited to supervision. By gathering and using just a few supplies you can find around your home, you can easily make a colony mobile.

Things You'll Need

• Outlines of the 13 colonies
• 13 sheets of tracing paper
• Poster board
• Heavy scissors
• Small scissors
• Thin permanent marker
• Hole puncher
• String
• Wire coat hanger

Instructions

1. Trace map outlines of the 13 colonies--Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, North Carolina, South, Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

2. Cut the tracings of each colony out, then transfer the outlines to heavy poster board. Cut the outlines out carefully with a heavy-duty pair of scissors. Using the smaller scissors, carefully cut out small areas of each colony, like inlets, bays and coves.

3. Find the capital of each state and draw a star representing each one on the colony outline using the permanent marker. Don't forget to mark each colony with its name.

4. Use the hole punch to carefully punch a hole in the top of each colony--the "north" side of each state. Tie a piece of string through the hole of each colony.

5. Carefully bend the hook section of the coat hanger at a 90-degree angle so it is perpendicular to the hanging part. Take the hanging part of the coat hanger and bend it into a circle.

6. Tie each colony onto the hanger, using the loose ends of string. Spread each colony out so it has room to sway and twist after you have hung it up.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful working with the scissors and hole puncher so you don't hurt yourself.

• Get a parent to help you bend the hook and hanging part so you don't accidentally hurt yourself.

References

• The Time Page: 13 Originals