How to Make a Paper Dragon

This project can work with children as young as 3rd grade, but has the most success with older children, from 4^th grade to high school level.

Supplies include:
Construction Paper - two sheets per person, preferably two different colors

Curling Ribbon

Hole Puncher

Markers or crayons

Take the first piece of construction paper that you would like to use for the body of your dragon. Holding it vertically, fold it in half, and cut it in half. Place one piece aside for later use. The other large piece is going to be the actual body of the dragon. Next, design a pattern for your dragon's scales. My students have used diamonds, stars, half moon scales, and many others. It's always best to do both sides with this project so that you can be more versatile when putting it all together.

Fold the body, accordion style, back and forth, in folds that are 3 inches to 4 inches wide. Make the folds as even as possible.

Take your second full piece of construction paper and hold it vertically. Fold it in half, (vertically), and in half again. This will give you four long columns. Cut these four columns out. These will become the legs of the dragon. Design as you wish. Again, you will fold accordion style, back and forth, in folds that are 2 inches to 3 inches wide. Make the folds as even as possible. You may tape, or staple the legs on the body, two in the front and two in the back.

Take your remaining piece of construction paper, hold it horizontally, fold in half and cut. Place one of the squares aside. You will be using the other square for the head of your dragon. Take the square for the head, and fold it in half. The open area will be where you put the dragon's tongue. Above the open area you can put dragon nostrils, and eyes. They can be as simple or as ornate as the student likes. Staple or tape the head to the body.

With the last square of construction paper you can cut out a strip of paper. From the strip cut out a V shape, and insert in the opening of the head area, hold with tape or a bit of glue from a glue stick, making that area your mouth. You may add teeth if you please.

With the curling ribbon, you may take a handful of the ribbon and curl it with scissors. (Please do not allow small children to do this.) You take the hole puncher, and punch a hole in the back end of the dragon. Slip the ribbons though and tie. This gives you a curly tail. Some students add a long ribbon to the back area, and to the top of the head, so that they may hang their dragon on doorknobs, or from ceiling fans. (Please don't turn the fan on while your dragon is on it. Though it looks awesome at first, eventually your dragon will go flying off and possibly break.)