3-D Circus

crayola supplies

Paint Brushes
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Markers
Washable Kid's Paint
No-Run School Glue

household supplies

recycled newspaper
recycled boxes
paper towels
recycled foam produce trays
container(s) of water
recycled file folders

Why

The circus is coming! The circus is coming! Make your own 3-D circus using recyclables: a shoebox and foam produce tray.

Steps

1. Create your own 3-D Circus in a box! Cover your art area with newspaper. Use Crayola® Washable Kid's Paints and Paint Brushes to decorate the outside and inside of a shoe box. Choose colors to make it look like a big-top circus tent. You may want to let areas of the box dry before you change paint colors. Cover the box with circus colors. Let the paint dry.
2. Add circus details to your box with Crayola Washable Markers.
3. On recycled file folders, draw circus performers and animals using Crayola Colored Pencils, Crayons, and Markers. Cut out the circus acts.
4. Use Crayola Scissors to cut small shapes (that fit on the back of your performers) from recycled foam produce trays.
5. To create a 3-D effect, use Crayola School Glue to glue foam pieces to the back of each character. To make some characters appear closer than others, stack and glue several pieces of foam together. For example, you may want to stack 3 pieces of foam for an elephant and 5 pieces for an acrobat. Let the glue dry.
6. Glue each character to the inside of the box. Let the glue dry, then enjoy your 3-D Circus!

When & Where

"After a trip to the circus, groups of children made dioramas of their favorite acts. Their conversations were fascinating!"
- Kieko Z., preschool volunteer.

"We researched the history of the circus and made dioramas of different types of circuses."
- Maryetta D., homeschool parent.

Interesting Info

Thomas Pool opened the first U.S. circus in 1785. After the first 80 years, wild animals were added to the mostly equestrian acts. The Barnum and Bailey Circus was founded in 1881.

Safety Guidelines

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Recycled Foam Produce Trays—Wash in hot, soapy water. No meat or poultry trays should be used.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.