Hang Up a Buffalo Hide

Step into history and create a beautiful replica of a buffalo robe, worn by the Cheyenne on the North American plains.

1. Find out about the buffalo (bison) who lived on the plains of North America. This is the land that is now the United States and Canada. Look for pictures of how the Cheyenne used buffalo hides to make beautiful robes. How else did they use these immense animals? This replica of a buffalo robe, displayed in an outdoor diorama, looks amazingly realistic.

2. Cover your art area with newspaper. Paint the inside of a large recycled box in sky colors using Crayola® Washable Kid's Paint and a Paint Brush. Dry.

3. On a paper plate, swirl paint colors for trees and grass. Dab a sponge into the mixture. Press it on the painted box to resemble trees. Add trunks of trees with a brush. Dry.

4. Crumple up and soak a brown paper bag in water. Wring it out. Dry.

5. Lightly outline a buffalo hide on the paper bag with Crayola Colored Pencils. Tear out the hide around your outline. Draw an authentic Cheyenne box-and-border design on the hide.

6. With an adult, search for two sticks outdoors. Look for sticks that are as long as your box. Attach sticks to both sides of the box with Crayola School Glue. Dry.

7. Glue the robe to the sticks. Dry.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Adult Assistance is required for this arts & crafts project.

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

Sponges and Foam—Sponges, foam, and other expandable materials should not be used with children 3 years old and younger.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points

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Crafts

crayola supplies

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

household supplies

• recycled newspaper
• Party Express paper plates
• sponges
• recycled boxes
• brown paper grocery bag
• paper towels
• sticks
• container(s) of water

"A great culminating project for when we completed our study of Native Americans of the Great Plains."
Roscoe B., camp counselor.

"Brown paper bag crafts are great. My kids made these dioramas for extra credit in social studies."
Kunio S., parent of ages 6 and 9.

The Native American tribe known as the Cheyenne lived on the Great Plains. They were nomadic, following the revered buffalo herds that were a source of food, shelter, clothing, and essential for their survival. The American Buffalo is actually a bison and belongs to the mammal family of bovines (like cows). Bison are still grown today.