We are so excited to be a part of the 10 Days of Kid-Made Christmas Series. We have many bloggers putting together all kinds of beautiful ornaments based on some of their favorite books. Take a look at the list of more ornaments at the end of this post.
I wanted to come up with a cool idea that would work for any time of year (evergreen), not just for the holidays, so I decided for us to make a handmade mini diorama that also serves as an ornament based on one of our favorite books: Secrets of the Rain Forest.
First, we grabbed our favorite rain forest book, Secrets of the Rain Forest, and a flashlight to read it. Why do we need a flashlight, you ask? Well, this book is a shine-a-light book, which means that it has hidden images on every page and we need a flashlight to discover the hidden images.
We LOVE this book! It is non-fiction presented in story form. It is fantastic, engaging, interactive and informative. Secrets of the Rain Forest
Handmade Diorama Ornament Tutorial
And now, for the tutorial on the most awesome mini diorama ornaments ever! Remember, these can be made any time of year, not just during the holidays when the Christmas tree is up.
You will need:
- Rain forest mini animal replicas
- Secrets of the Rain Forest book
- A small cardboard box for each child (we used a Clif Bar box for kids)
- Green paper in different shades
- A hole punch
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tacky glue
- Green pipe cleaners
Step 1: Cut the box about 2 inches from the bottom. Cut down the two sides on the front of the box and flip the front over. Glue that part down (it makes the bottom sturdier).
Step 2: Measure along the inside of the box with a piece of green paper and cut to size. Glue it along the inside. You can do the same for the outside of the box. Glue a piece of paper on the bottom (for the forest floor) in a different shade of green. We used a pretty glitter paper in dark green.
Step 3: Use the punch hole and scissors to make leaves, lots and lots of leaves. Cut some tree trunks and vines as well. I used some of the leftover cardboard from the box to make some greyish-brown trunks.
Step 4: Glue all of the tree trunks and vines vertically along the back of the box. My daughter laid the box sideways to make it easier for her to glue them straight. My son loves challenges and left the box as it should be. Both did a great job.
Step 5: Glue the leaves! My daughter (almost 4 years old) laid the box down sideways and was throwing the bunches of leaves for the glue to catch (lever) while my son (almost 6) was strategically placing each leaf in its precise place and special spot. Thankfully, he is quick, haha.
Step 6: Cut the green pipe cleaners in half and coil them. Glue them to the back of the box. Pick out two or three of the rain forest animal replicas to place in the diorama.
Place it on the tree or wherever! 😉
Check out some more awesome ornaments!
The Educators’ Spin On It | Castle View Academy | Glittering Muffins
House of Burke | Emma Owl | Freshly Planted | Great Googa Moogas
Adventures in Wunderland | The Natural Homeschool | Non Toy Gifts
Julie says
Such a clever way to use a box!
Amanda @artsy_momma says
Fun idea for an ornament! Still REALLY want that book 🙂
Shelah says
What a fabulous ornament. My daughter would love to make her own small world to hang as a decoration.
Carolyn Wilhelm says
Very nice! We have a project at school where the children select an animal and then make a diorama. Some parents need help with ideas and this would be a nice link for them. Thank you so much!
Melissa says
What a neat idea!!!
Jennifer Dawn says
Oh my! These look like so much fun. What a great book choice too!
Peta ~ Great Googa Moogas says
These are fabulous, such a great craft activity for the kids and a diorama is a great twist on the traditional hanging ornaments.
Ashley says
Its really amazing to use a box and make such a beautiful forest.