Create, Play and Explore

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 What a Character!

Create one moveable cartoon character by putting individual parts together. There are many parts to a body, but only one character. In this activity, each member of the family or group creates a part of the character, then the group puts it together with wing fasteners. The finished piece can be attached to a stick and moved like a puppet.

Materials

  • Tagboard or stiff drawing paper

  • Markers, crayons, colored pencils, or other drawing tools

  • Scissors

  •  Paper punch

  • Wing fasteners

Ready, Set Map

  1.   List the body parts to be used. The character could be human or animal, so the list of parts will be different, depending on the choice. Each person picks one or more body parts to create.

  2.  Each person draws and decorated the assigned body part without letting anyone else see it. Then cuts it out.

  3. When the parts are finished, assemble the body. Punch small holes where the parts will be attached to each other and insert the wing fasteners.

 

4. Attach a stick to the back of the head. You may also want to add a sticks to the arms. Make the character dance by moving the sticks.

5. Enjoy the crazy character and its antics.

Reflect

  • What’s the funniest thing about your character? Do you think it would be as funny if only one person had made it?

  • What textures and patterns did you use in the part you made? What does the texture or pattern add to the character?

  • Describe some of the shapes of the parts that made up the whole body.

Apply

  •  Make the character move. Can you do it alone or does it take more than one person to move it? Move the character a way that suit its personality.

  • What other imaginative, wacky things can you create as a team?

Enhance

Make up a show using the character. Present it to other friends or family members.

Simplify

Use large sheets of paper to create the parts. Paste the parts together and tape them to a wall, like a dancing mural. 

Learning Indicators

The children:

  • Created a body part with unique characteristics.

  •  Helped assemble the body.

  • Suggested ways to move the character and bring it to life.

 

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