Sandy Desert

crayola supplies

Crayons
Multicultural Crayons
Glue Sticks
Construction Paper

household supplies

sandpaper

Why

What lives in the parched, mysterious desert? Create a 3-D textured picture of desert plants and animals.

Steps

1. It’s easy to make a textured picture that looks and feels like a sandy desert. Lay sandpaper on a hard, flat surface. Place white paper on top of the sandpaper.
2. Unwrap Crayola® Multicultural Crayons. Rub crayon on the paper to create a bumpy, pebbly texture just like you would find in a desert. Remove sandpaper. Color sky so it has a contrasting smooth texture.
3. On separate paper, use Crayola Crayons and Multicultural Crayons to draw and color desert plants and animals such as yucca, cacti, flowers, camels, or snakes. Carefully tear out each piece.
4. To curl some edges, roll paper pieces around a crayon and then uncurl. Snakes look like they could jump right out! Use a Crayola Glue Stick to attach desert treasures to your landscape. Is it real—or a mirage?

When & Where

"My son really enjoyed rubbing crayons over sandpaper. He experimented with other bumpy textures, too."
- Carol S., mother of age 5.

"We did this craft after reading a book about deserts. The kids picked favorite animals and plants to put in their scene."
- Anita P., family child care provider.

Interesting Info

The adult desert tortoise can survive a year or more without water. Roadrunners are quick enough to catch and eat rattlesnakes.