This past week I presented at the Mother Earth News Fair in Seven Springs, PA.  Each year, one of my favorite things to do is meet up with the kids attending the fair. I love to get kids excited about art and put on a workshop just for them.  This past year we did bookmarks and this year I decided to inspire the kids’ creativity with paper chicken friends. 

These paper chicken friends come together in no time. With just a few crafting items you have around the house, you can re-create your own flock from outside or create a whimsical one from your imagination. Some kids made big fluffy ones. Other kids decided to recreate members of their flock. Some decided to make whimsical chickens of varying colors. The possibilities are endless.

Supply List:

• Paper plates (big ones for full size chickens and small ones for chicks)
• Scissors
• Assorted colored tissue paper
• Googly eyes
• Glue stick

First, fold the paper plate in half.

Starting at right side of the plate, tear tissue paper into strips for tail feathers and glue them into place.

Continue gluing tissue paper feathers on the chicken across the body, to lay like scales, until you reach the chicken’s face.

Flip the plate over and repeat the process on the other side.

For the beak, cut a triangle of orange tissue paper, fold it and then glue it onto the underside of the plate.

Next create wattles and combs if you like, then glue on googly eyes.

Finally, stand up your chickens and gently push down on the head of your chicken to get them pecking.

Don’t forget, like all true artists to sign your chickens on the under side of the plate and also give your chickens a name.  Some kids named their chickens Bob, Mr. Feathers, Delila, Weird-O, Fluffy, and Henny. What did you decide to name your chickens?