How to Make a Egyptian Diorama

The Great Pyramids are one of the most fascinating sights in Egypt.

Children are fascinated by the pyramids, mummies and pharaohs of ancient Egyptian times. Units on ancient Egypt are usually taught during middle school. Hands-on activities help students retain what they've learned. The creation of a diorama is one way for a student to demonstrate what they've learned about ancient Egypt. A diorama is a display, usually made in a shoe box, using different types of materials and items to depict a miniature version of a scene or habitat.

Things You'll Need

• Shoe box
• Craft glue
• Craft sticks
• Sand
• 1/2 cup measuring cup
• Brown and green construction paper
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Sticky tack
• Mini marshmallows
• Markers

Instructions

1. Begin with an empty shoe box standing on one long side. Place the shoe box lid underneath the long side to form an extension for the bottom of the diorama.

2. 

   Glue forms the base for the bottom of the diorama.

   Drizzle craft glue all over the bottom of the diorama. Spread the glue around with one of the craft sticks.

3. 

   There are many deserts in Egypt.

   Pour sand in the bottom of your diorama, about 1/2 cup at a time. Tilt your diorama from side to side to spread the sand around. Let this sit for a minute to dry. Dump excess sand into the trash. If you have bare spots, add a bit of glue, then sand and repeat the process of spreading it around.

4. Measure and mark a few pieces of brown construction paper, each 3 inches by 3 inches. Cut the squares out, then roll each one into a cylinder. Glue the end in place with craft glue. This forms the trunks of your palm trees.

5. Measure and mark the same amount of green construction paper pieces, 3 inches by 3 inches, as well. Cut the squares out and roll each into a cylinder. Glue the ends in place with craft glue. Cut 3/4 of the way down the green cylinder, making at least four cuts going around the cylinder. Roll the strips of green paper downward so they curve like the leaves of a palm tree.

6. 

   Add palm trees to your diorama.

   Glue green leaf portions into brown tree trunks. These form your palm trees. Place a small amount of sticky tack to the bottom of each palm tree and stick in place in your diorama.

7. Build a pyramid using mini marshmallows. Glue 16 mini marshmallows in a triangular shape onto the floor of your diorama. For your second layer, glue nine mini marshmallows on top of the first layer. Next glue a layer of six mini marshmallows and for the final layer, glue one mini marshmallow on top.

Tips & Warnings

• Plastic toy palm trees may be used instead of making your own.

• Adding sand to your diorama can be messy. Doing this step outdoors, if possible, eliminates inside mess.

References

• Ancient Egypt: The History of Ancient Egypt

Resources

• Diorama Man: How To Make A Diorama
• I Beat You: Best Marshmallow Pyramid