Cardboard Tube Alligator Canvas
Transform a cardboard paper towel tube into a fierce and fun alligator craft! Outfit your alligator with foam legs and sharp teeth. All you need are some bright paints and a canvas to bring this wild scene to life!
Did you know… The largest alligator ever recorded was measured at 19 feet, 2 inches and weighed 2,000 pounds!
Materials
Paint
Paint Brushes
Wiggly Eyes
Foam Sheets
Canvas
Cardboard Tube
Scissors
Tape
Glue
Instructions
Step 1.
Start by cutting slits into one half of a cardboard tube. Be sure not to cut all the way through!
Step 1.
Start by cutting slits into one half of a cardboard tube. Be sure not to cut all the way through!
Step 2.
Cut all the way through your cardboard tube on one side of the slits, leaving a bit of the tube intact so it stays together.
Step 2.
Cut all the way through your cardboard tube on one side of the slits, leaving a bit of the tube intact so it stays together.
Step 3.
Cut the other side of the tube leaving a half-circle that can sit flat on your tabletop.
Step 3.
Cut the other side of the tube leaving a half-circle that can sit flat on your tabletop.
Step 4.
Paint the tube green.
Step 4.
Paint the tube green.
Step 5.
Cut the end of the tube with the slits into a triangle shape. This will be your alligator’s tail!
Step 5.
Cut the end of the tube with the slits into a triangle shape. This will be your alligator’s tail!
Step 6.
If you need to, secure the bottom of the tail with some tape so it stays together even with the slits.
Step 6.
If you need to, secure the bottom of the tail with some tape so it stays together even with the slits.
Step 7.
Glue two wiggly eyes to the top of the tube.
Step 7.
Glue two wiggly eyes to the top of the tube.
Step 8.
Cut out a white piece of foam that is about as wide as the cardboard tube.
Step 8.
Cut out a white piece of foam that is about as wide as the cardboard tube.
Step 9.
Cut a zig zag pattern into the white foam and glue to the bottom of the tube. These will be the alligator’s teeth!
Step 9.
Cut a zig zag pattern into the white foam and glue to the bottom of the tube. These will be the alligator’s teeth!
Step 10.
Cut two strips of green foam, then cut them in half.
Step 10.
Cut two strips of green foam, then cut them in half.
Step 11.
Cut small zig zags into one side of the green foam. These will be the alligator’s legs!
Step 11.
Cut small zig zags into one side of the green foam. These will be the alligator’s legs!
Step 12.
Paint a canvas the color of your choice. We chose blue to create an aquatic habitat for our alligator!
Step 12.
Paint a canvas the color of your choice. We chose blue to create an aquatic habitat for our alligator!
Step 13.
Glue the green foam legs to the bottom of the tube, then glue the alligator to the canvas.
Step 13.
Glue the green foam legs to the bottom of the tube, then glue the alligator to the canvas.
Step 14.
Paint some waves, ripples, or lily pads onto your water!
Step 14.
Paint some waves, ripples, or lily pads onto your water!
Step 15.
Cut a bottom row of white foam teeth for your alligator, and add a red tongue. Your alligator is complete!
Step 15.
Cut a bottom row of white foam teeth for your alligator, and add a red tongue. Your alligator is complete!