Bonus Circus Craft: The Acrobat

Earlier this week we made an entire circus full of characters, which all started off with a triangle popsicle stick triangle frame. They are so cute, and you can find the instructions HERE. But…there was one performer missing from the bunch (actually, you could go on and on with circus characters. I would LOVE to see your ideas!) This acrobat circus craft finishes off the collection nicely. Design your own costume for your trapeze artist and watch him or her fly through the air! Make several and pretend they are doing tricks together. I just love a craft that turns into hours of imaginative play time!!!

Save this circus craft for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

• 3 Large popsicle sticks
• Elmer’s glue
• Construction paper (white or light color)
• Scissors
• Markers
• White yarn
• 2 Small googly eyes
• Glue stick
• Optional: Newspaper
• Optional: Paint (color of your choice)
• Optional: Medium pompom
• Optional: Clothespin

It is our mission here at “In the Bag Kids’ Crafts” to help families make the time to create together…because hands-on creating is so important to, not only child development, but to bringing people together. The list of benefits of making crafts is longer than my arm (wow, I don’t think I have ever used that phrase before…am I showing my age?) Here is a post that talks about that hidden benefits of crafting. You might be wondering, “how they any different than every other kids’ craft site?”

Well, I am so glad that you asked…There are two main differences…First, we keep crafts basic so that they can actually be done by children (not by adults while kids watch…seriously, what’s the point of that!). Second, we stick to a MASTER LIST of craft supplies that fit into one bag. Once you fill your bag up with these basics, you are ready to craft at a moment’s notice. This removes so many of the barriers that might have gotten in the way of you creating with your children, like no time, not that right supplies to make the craft, no idea where to start, too much mess, too much prep…this solves all of these problems! There are now over 100 fun and easy crafts on this site (and many, many more on the way) to get you started! Happy crafting!

Step 1: Make a Trapeze

• Glue together 3 large popsicle sticks to form a triangle frame. Let the glue dry thoroughly. *You may want to do this step the day before and let it sit overnight to dry.
• Optional: Place the triangle frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a little paint. Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush. Paint the trapeze triangle and set it aside to dry.
• Once the paint is dry (if you chose to do that step), cut a piece of yarn about 1 yard long and tie it to one of the corners. This is what you will hold (or tie to something) to make the trapeze swing.

Step 2: Make the Trapeze Artist

• Draw OR print the template and trace your acrobat with extended arms and legs so that they can grab the trapeze. Use white or light colored paper.
• Cut out your acrobat. *For little ones, precut the acrobat and allow them to do the following steps.
• Then, color your trapeze artist with your markers. You can even give him/her an emblem on the front of the circus costume. Really, there is no wrong way to do this. Make it your own and get creative! You may also want to color the back, as it will be seen as your acrobat jumps and twists in the air.
• Use the glue stick to attach the small googly eyes and draw on a face. *Do not add more to your acrobat (like glitter or beads or stickers) because any additional weight will make it so that your character cannot stay on the trapeze.
• Finally, use your scissors to gently curl the legs like you would a curling ribbon. Just gently glide the scissors along the back of each leg, and you will see it start to curl. If you prefer to have your trapeze artist hanging by his/her arms, then do this to the arms instead.

Step 3: Play

• Hold the end of the yarn attached to your trapeze or tie it to an object, like a tree branch or a curtain rod. Look around your home and yard for a good place that will give it plenty of room to swing.
• Then, hang your trapeze artist on the artist and make him/her swing and twist. If you have made more than one, help them put on a show!

Save this circus craft for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…