Projects for Kids: Plush Chibi Wolf Model

A model is a good accompaniment to a research paper, especially in a science related class. This can be adapted to many different four legged animals such as a tiger, fox, or bear. The end result is a small, plush animal made of faux fur and styrofoam. It will look something like a 3D chibi wolf.


Difficulty: Moderately easy

AgeRange: 7^th grade-9^th grade


Materials Needed:


1 medium sized Styrofoam ball

1 smaller styrofoam ball (to be a muzzle)

4 small styrofoam egg shaped balls (to be paws and ears)

1 swatch of black, brown, or gray faux fur at least 15 in. long and 7 inches wide (which will be stuffed and used as the body)

1 long swatch of faux fur the same color as above (for the tail)

Colored Markers or paint

A pair of scissors or knife

Cotton stuffing or newspaper

*Needle and thread (or stapler)

*Hot Glue



*means this aspect might require adult supervision



Instructions:

Take the big swatch of faux fur and fold it in half. Sew the two ends together leaving one edge open to put in stuffing. If you're pressed for time, don't know how to sew, or just want and easier way, use a stapler. What you should have will look like a pocket of fur, stuff it with stuffing or newspaper. Sew or staple the remaining edge. What you have now should be a stuffed, furry rectangle.



Take four of the egg shaped styrofoam balls and draw on them so they look like cartoon paws. Three straight lines on one side should do the trick but get creative. Now hot glue each of paws underneath the four corners of your furry rectangle. Take the other swatch of fur that you haven't used yet and sew it to one side of the rectangle to act as a tail.



Now take the medium sized stryfoam ball and draw eyes. Color the rest of the ball with markers or paint to match the fur you choose. Afterwards, you will need to partially flatten a piece of this ball to attach the muzzle underneath the eyes. Use a knife or scissors to scrap a flat patch in the ball big enough for the smaller ball to fit. Take the smaller ball and flatten one of its sides. Now color it to match and draw a mouth and nose on it. Attach it to the bigger ball with hot glue.



The last two egg shaped styrofoam pieces will be used as ears. Flatten a small piece on one edge of each. Flatten a patch on the medium "head" ball to attach these. Color them to match the rest of the body and attach them with hot glue.



You are done.