Aren’t these penguins just the cutest?! They’re made from toilet paper rolls, or really any cardboard tube you like, so they’re just the perfect size to hang out on your desk.
First up, here are Kaye’s tips for making these with a group:
- For groups with fine-muscle control, we provided templates for feet, beaks, and wings, so they could trace and cut out the shapes themselves.
- For others we cut these shapes out ahead of time and encouraged them to consider placement.
To make your own penguin buddy, you’ll need:
- A toilet paper roll, or any carboard tube cut to any height you like
- Black, white, orange, and yellow construction paper
- Scissors
- Liquid glue
- Googly eyes
- A pencil
First, glue black construction paper to the outside of the cardboard tube:
Next, using the template, cut out the white for the penguin’s belly, and glue it onto the cardboard tube.
Then use the wing-shape template to cut two out two black wings. You can curl the tips up with a pencil to make them look even more wing-like. Then glue them to the side of the cardboard tube.
And we’re on to the feet and beak! Using the templates cut out two orange feet and an orange beak, and glue them onto your penguin.
Then glue on some googly eyes!
So now you have a normal, fun penguin. BUT we’re making rockhopper penguins, whose main feature is… their yellow crown feathers!
Those are easy to make, you take a strip of yellow construction paper, and cut one edge into fringe. Glue the other egde into the inside top of the cardboard tube and behold your rockhopper friend!
If you want you can even dress your penguin up! How about a festive bow tie?
Our participants loved making these guys, they’re so fun and friendly. If you make one please share a picture with us on our Facebook page!