3D Paper Koala Craft: Next week is Australia Day for all our friends ‘Down Under.’ So, as it’s still gray and raining here, we thought it might brighten up our day by creating a fun craft in their honor! And what’s more Australian than the adorable koala?!
Bring your fuzzy friend to life with this fun and engaging 3D craft. There’s plenty of tactile and interactive elements for kids to get stuck into, making it the perfect activity for pre-schoolers and school early years.
Children can play with paints to create the koalas fur; scrunch and twist tissue paper to make branches and leaves; and use 3D elements to explore depth, perspective and bounce.
Ideal for the home or the classroom, kids will love playing with the different textures and exploring the different processes involved.
And if children are feeling a little anxious at the moment, why not try reading the sweet rhyming story, The Koala Who Could, about dealing with change and overcoming worries – and have a go at this lovely uplifting craft afterwards.
How to Make a 3D Paper Koala Craft
Supplies:
White Cardstock (for printing)
Bright Colored Cardstock
3 Strips of Gray Cardstock
Brown and Green Tissue Paper
Paint (or coloring crayons)
Scissors
Glue Stick
How to Download the 3D Koala Template:
The 3D Koala Template is available to members of the Arty Crafty Kids Club. Join the members area to access our complete online library of art and craft templates.
Members can access the template here (remember to login!): https://www.artycraftykids.com/product/3d-paper-koala-craft/
Members will need to log in to access the templates!
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Let’s Make a 3D Koala!
“At our last visit to the zoo, we visited the Koala’s. One in particular stuck in my mind, he/she had its head perched over a branch while the rest of its body relaxed in a make-shift bed. The koala looked so content and happy. This is my tribute to a fond memory shared with my children ?”
Paint The Koala
Use your favourite paints or crayons to color in the koala. Do you think you can use different shades or textures to create a fur-like look?
When the koala is dry, carefully cut out all the elements from the template.
Create The Branches
Take a piece of brown tissue paper and twist it around, so that it looks like a gnarled tree branch, and stick it firmly along the bottom of your backing card (we’re using it landscape today).
Take another piece, twisting it again to create a second branch, and secure it growing crookedly up the side of your card.
Then cut out some leaf shapes from the green tissue paper and stick them to the card above the branch, so your koala has a nice inviting tree to sit in.
Complete The Head
Stick the eyes and cute little cheeks onto the koala’s face. Then, glue the inner ear (the smaller circle) onto the outer ear (the larger circle) so that your scene is ready to be assembled.
Create Paper Loops
Take the first strip of gray card, curl it around to make a ring and secure it with a spot of glue so it doesn’t come undone. Repeat with the other two strips.
Now it’s time to start building your koala.
Secure The Head & Ears
Stick the first loop onto the backing card towards the middle, just above the branch. Then stick the second loop a couple of inches up and slightly over to the left, to support the koala’s large head.
Carefully stick the koala’s head onto the two card loops – make sure you don’t cover the back of the head with glue, otherwise he might end up stuck to the background!
Next, fold the ears gently so that they have some movement and stick the inner side of each ear to the backing card, on either side of the head. Make sure you don’t stick the whole ear down – we want them to be able to give a little flap!
Add the 2nd Lift
Stick the koala’s nose onto the third loop vertically (standing up), give it a gentle bend to give some rounded depth to the nose, and then stick the loop onto the middle of the koala’s face.
Your 3D Paper Koala Craft Is Complete!
Have fun wobbling, wiggling and dreaming of summer with your friendly, fuzzy pal from Down Under! Don’t forget to share your pictures and tag us on social media – I wonder if we’ll see any crafts all the way from Australia?!
