Crafting is an incredible way to engage children with their creative side. It enhances fine motor skills, instills a sense of accomplishment, and most importantly, it’s a boatload of fun! Today, we’re hopping into a paper craft activity that will teach you how to create an adorable paper frog, bringing creativity and learning together.
Whether you’re a parent looking for an afternoon activity, or an educator searching for hands-on teaching material, this step-by-step guide is perfect for you. We’ll use common household items that make this project not only enjoyable but also easily accessible. Here’s how to make a paper craft frog with your little ones.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, you’ll want to gather the following crafting essentials:
- Green and red paper: Durable construction paper is best for its sturdiness.
- PVA glue: Non-toxic, water-based glue that’s safe for little hands.
- Scissors: Child-friendly ones, of course!
- Pencil: For drawing out those froggy shapes.
- Googly Eyes: Great for adding a whimsical touch to your craft.
Free-Hand Drawing the Components
Begin with the most important step – drawing out the parts of your frog. This not only allows for a personalized craft but also encourages creativity and developmental skill-building. Here’s how:
Semi-Circle Body
Take the green card and fold it in half. It should resemble a half-circle, ensuring symmetry when unfolded. Then, cut along the fold to make two identical halves.
Eyes
Cut two small circles from the green paper – these will be your frog’s eyes. Glasses frames are a nice template for size, keeping them proportionate to the body.
Legs
Draw out a long-legged shape on your green paper, using the full length of the paper to have ample space for larger legs. You’ll want to cut these shapes out four times to have two sets of legs for the front and back.
Tongue
Draw a long rectangle on the red paper, wider at the open end. This will be your frog’s tongue. It should be long enough to comfortably sit inside the open ‘mouth’ of your frog when you’re preparing to attach it.
The Assembly
Once you have all the parts cut out, it’s assembly time. Here’s how to put them all together:
Body Assembly
With a straight edge, you’ll want to fold and crease the semi-circle body you’ve cut out for the frog. Once you have the lines marked out, apply glue to one side and roll it up, ensuring the glue holds and the seam stays closed.
Eye Placement
The position of the eyes on your frog is key to giving it character. Place the eyes on the round part of the body and stick them down using the PVA glue.
Leg Work
Fold the legs slightly to make them stand out more in 3D space. Glue two legs to the front of your frog, and the other two to the back. Ensure they are secured well enough to support the body.
Tongue Tied
Glue the tongue to the inside of the body, leaving the circled ‘tip’ of the tongue sticking out. This adds a playful touch to your hopping pal.
Final Touches
For the finishing touches, add on those googly eyes and cut out feet for your frog. This is where the real charm shines through. Stick on the eyes with a dab of glue, and then cut out two appropriately-sized feet from the green paper, securing them to the base of your frog.
Watch our Video of how to create the perfect 3D frog on Pinterest: https://pin.it/2jOnC2fgJ
Short for time? Here is a quick FREE PRINT 3D Frog Cut-Out to help you!
Enjoy the Hopping!
Your paper craft frog is now ready to leap off the crafting table and into your hearts. This simple yet enjoyable activity not only creates a wonderful bonding moment between you and your child but also provides a platform to discuss the life of frogs and their importance in nature.
Encouraging creativity through crafting also helps in brain development, problem-solving skills, and can be a great impetus for further learning about animals and their habitats.
Bask in the pride of creation and enjoy the magic that a simple craft can bring to your day. Happy hopping with your paper frog!
