Create a flock of birds out of cardboard, paint and decorate them, and then hang your bird mobile from the ceiling!
Let your kids’ creativity soar with this fun bird mobile craft! This is a favorite from our Kids’ Art Camp Sky Week, and is perfect for a summertime activity or part of a homeschool learning module.
Start by cutting bird shapes out of cardboard, then paint and decorate each one with your favorite colors and designs. You can keep them simple or add fun touches like feathers, glitter, or stickers. Sometimes we make ones modeled after the birds in our backyard and sometimes we make imaginary birds with lots of neon colors!
Once your flock is ready, hang the birds from string to create a colorful mobile that moves gently in the air.
How to Make a Bird Mobile for Kids
MATERIALS
- Cardboard or card stock
- Markers
- Scissors
- Tempera paint (or paint sticks)
- Feathers
- Other collage materials (optional)
- Hole punch
- String or fishing line
INSTRUCTIONS
- Draw your bird shape
Draw your bird pieces on the cardboard or card stock. You’ll need a body, wings, and tail.
There is no need to be exact. You can make your bird any size and you can change the shape of the body, tail, or wings.
- Cut out pieces
Cut the bird pieces out of the cardboard. Cut a horizontal slit on the bird’s back for the wings and a vertical slit at the back for the tail. Then, cut a matching vertical slit in the center of the wings and a horizontal slit at the front of the tail so they slide together and stay in place.
- Paint and decorate your bird
Paint one side of your cardboard bird pieces. Let dry, then paint the other side. Let dry, then draw additional details and decorations over the painted cardboard if desired.
- Put your bird together
Assemble the 3 cardboard pieces into a flying bird. Punch two holes in the top of the bird body and add a string to hang it from the ceiling.
- Repeat!
Make more cardboard birds and assemble into a mobile if desired.
That’s all there is to it! We love the way these birds float in the air like a real flock!
More Animal Art Projects for Kids
- How to Make Magic Animal Masks for Kids
- How to Make a Fish Craft from Nature Items
- How to Make Stuffed Paper Fish
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