egg carton animals
Having been stuck in isolation for over a week on account of covid-19, we found that trying to entertain a two year old indoors for extended periods of time is challenging to say the least. This was such a simple craft with endless possibilities - your imagination is really the limit, and most of the items required can be found in the home. We each picked an animal to create from an old egg carton, and then of course played with them afterwards together making up a story as our game unfolded.
You will need
an old egg box
scissors
paint
paintbrush
wool felt (optional) if you are making a “baa lamb” or alternatively you could use cotton wool balls
glue to attach animal ears (i used a hot glue gun which worked really well; available on amazon and elsewhere online)
stick on “googly eyes” (optional; available here); alternatively you can simply paint on eyes
What to do
First cut out your egg box. It really doesn't matter what type you use, shallow or deep. The one we used was a Booths free range egg carton and the egg cups weren't complete the whole way around, but we made it work and so long as you have a surface to work with at the front it really doesn't matter what the back looks like!
As a natural perfectionist this is something I have worked on over the past year… allowing myself to create things which do not need to be perfect. I have found striving for an unattainable perfection often holds you back and trust me there is beauty in the imperfection. We had a great time as a family creating these eggbox animals and I will cherish the memories forever.
Choose your animal and set up your paint station ready to go. For those who need further inspiration simply type ‘egg box animals’ into pinterest and it will bring up a range of ideas.
If you too are working with a toddler you might find it helpful to tape paper to your table, put them in crafting overalls (or an outfit you don't mind getting destroyed) and get all your paints, water, brushes and a muslin on the table beforehand (as two year olds can lose interest rapidly especially if you are faffing!)
PAINT! Do a base coat of colour for whatever animal you have chosen to create.
We found they dried fairly quickly and in the same sitting we were able to paint on faces and add details.
Whilst they are drying you can cut out additional ears/tails or whatever you fancy from your leftover egg carton (and paint them the appropriate colour of course).
Once all the paint is dry, use a hot glue gun to attach your ears or additional parts to your creations. We attached ears to the animals by bending the edge of the slips of cardboard backwards on themselves (and gluing down the edge); and as an afterthought I added some wool felt to the “baa lamb”.
Finish up with “googly eyes” which in our case were magnificently placed by Marlow Autumn.
PLAY. Spend time as a family, make up stories with your new characters and see where your imagination takes you.
