The multitude of float designs seen in parades spurs the imagination of young and old alike. Children are especially mesmerized by the different characters and scenes on full-size floats. A miniature float done as a school project takes the visual stimulation seen on television and in-person and allows a child the opportunity to build their own float. Create a miniature float in one evening or on a weekend afternoon with many items found around the house.
- 1 - 1 1/2-inch by 3-inch box, such as a check box
- Black acrylic or tempera paint
- Paintbrush
- 1 - 6-inch by 8-inch piece of cardboard
- Hot glue gun
- 4 - 1-inch buttons
- Hot glue sticks
- White glue
- Glitter
- Curly ribbon
- Scissors
- Child's plastic building blocks
- Action figures or small dolls
- Toy cars
Watch a parade with floats, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ask the children to pay special attention and take down notes on floats they like. Have the children use this information to design their homemade miniature float.
Paint the 1 1/2-inch by 3-inch box black, such as a box that checks are sent in. Allow the paint to dry.
Center and glue the 6-inch by 8-inch piece of cardboard to the top of the black box.
Position the four 1-inch buttons on the black box to resemble the wheels. Glue into place with a hot glue gun.
Cover the top surface of the cardboard with white glue. Sprinkle glitter over the glue. Allow the glue to dry.
Cut and hot glue pieces of curly ribbon along the edges of the piece of cardboard to act as the miniature float skirting.
Decorate the top of the float with shapes built from child's plastic building blocks, action figures, toy cars, small plastic dolls or other plastic, metal or glass items. Glue the items into place with a hot glue gun. The glue will easily peel from plastic, metal or glass items when dismantling the float. Make sure not to glue porous items, such as fabric, wicker or wood, to the float if they are something you want to keep. The hot glue does not remove from these items easily.
Things You'll Need
Tips
References
Tips
- Watch a parade with floats, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ask the children to pay special attention and take down notes on floats they like. Have the children use this information to design their homemade miniature float.
About the Author
Kim Blakesley is a home remodeling business owner, former art/business teacher and school principal. She began her writing and photography career in 2008. Blakesley's education, fine arts, remodeling, green living, and arts and crafts articles have appeared on numerous websites, including DeWalt Tools, as well as in "Farm Journal" and "Pro Farmer."
Photo Credits
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