a simple diy :: paper plate lion mask

Our church had a successful Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer.  This year’s theme was “In The Wild” and I was the Craft’s Leader.  For early childhood grades I try to find crafts that the kids can do all by themselves.  I always hated for my child to bring home something the teacher made for them.  As a teacher myself I love hearing my student tell his/her parents “I did it all by myself”!  The kids from VBS can’t wait to show their parents the crafts they make at our VBS.  My children attend one other VBS in our area, but they usually use the premade kits.  Basically they get to stick stickers on some premade object.

Supplies::

• Paper Plates
• Yellow and Black Acrylic Paint or Crayons
• Brown, orange and yellow Construction Paper
• Glue ( Elmer’s, or Hot Glue)

Step 1:: You will need to cut out the shape for the eyes and mouth.  It is a simple U shape with a triangle for the nose.  Once you cut out your lion’s face make sure to cut enough strips of yellow, brown and orange Construction Paper to make the lion’s mane later.

Step 2::  Now you can paint or color your lion face yellow and the nose black.

Step 3:: Once you have painted or colored your lion’s face you can begin curing your Construction Paper strips.  I used sharpened pencils for the kids at VBS to roll the Construction Paper on.  Place the end of your strip of Construction Paper at the end of your utensil of choice and roll it around the utensil.

Step 4::  Last glue your strips of Construction Paper onto the back of your lion’s face with the curls curling forward.

All of the lion’s from VBS were absolutely adorable.  See for yourself!  Make sure to check out last weeks VBS post about the DIY Talking Parrot.

Would you use this craft in your VBS?