Tabletop Dragon
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In the eleventh hour, Maleficent transforms herself into a formidable dragon to prevent Prince Phillip's escape from her dungeon. Just as it appears that the Prince will meet his demise, the three fairies work their magic on his sword, and it is the dragon that is ultimately defeated. Inspired by the villainess's infamous fiery reptile, this tabletop paper model is ready to strike a scary pose, making it a fabulous Halloween, or year round, decoration. Younger kids may need some help cutting out the intricate spikes and claws, but they'll have fun fitting the pieces together and embellishing them with glitter glue.
Download Tabletop Dragon TemplateWhat you'll need
- Template for Tabletop Dragon
- Scissors
- Black poster board or heavy cardstock
- Yellow cardstock
- Purple craft paper
- Glue stick
- Black marker
- Glue sealer (such as Mod Podge)
- Small foam brush
- Glitter glue
- Glue dots
- 2 small faux gems (for eyes)
- Yellow ribbon
How to make it
Print the template and cut out the pieces. Glue the three body pieces together as shown to create a pattern for cutting a full dragon body out of black poster board. Next, cut out a pair of forelegs and a pair of hind legs from black poster board and a pair of wings and two gills from yellow cardstock.
Use templates to trace shapes onto clean, new sponges. This works best when sponges are still damp from their packaging. Note: Tracing is a good task for preschoolers working on their hand-eye coordination.
Grown-up's job: Use scissors to cut fish shapes from sponges.
Glue the completed underbelly atop the dragon, matching up the lower edges.
Use a black marker to draw web lines on the wings and gills. Then brush a coat of sealer on the fronts and backs of the four pieces. Once the sealer dries (it won't take long), your child can embellish them with glitter glue.
Likewise, seal all the body and leg pieces.
Accent the claws and spikes with glitter glue.
Glue the legs to the dragon body, as shown, adjusting them so that the dragon will stand freely on a tabletop.
Glue the wings and gills in place, as shown.
Stick faux gems to the head for the dragon's eyes. And, for the finishing touch, add a little "fire" by gluing a piece of ribbon extending from the mouth.
