Ever heard of a paper numbat craft for kids? Well, numbat is this cute critter from Australia that munches on termites.
But wait, there’s more! It’s also the star of the alphabet world, representing the letter N in children’s books.
Now, imagine bringing this adorable creature to life through a craft project! That’s exactly what I did.
And let me tell you, the kids were buzzing with excitement to learn about these furry friends.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to create your very own paper numbat. Plus, I’ve included helpful images for each step.
Let’s get right into it and start making a paper numbat.
Materials needed to craft a numbat
- Paper: You can use either the provided template (downloaded and printed) or blank white paper to draw your own template.
- Scissors: Needed for cutting out the template and shapes.
- Glue stick: For assembling the different parts of the numbat.
- Coloring tools: Crayons, markers, or colored pencils if using the blank template.
Step 1: Crafting The Paper Numbat Template
Before we proceed let me walk you through the process I used to create the paper numbat template.
First, I sketched out the shapes needed to form the structure of the numbat.
After refining the shapes of the numbat to my satisfaction, I used a black marker pen to outline them precisely.
Now, here’s the fun part: you can choose to follow my template or get creative and draw your own shapes to customize your numbat template (It’s up to you).
Step 2: Downloading The Paper Numbat Template
I have made the paper Numbat templates available on my blog and if you look at the image above this is what it looks like.
Simply download and print the templates with a few clicks, and you’re ready to start assembling your paper numbat.
I’ve provided two versions of the template for your convenience. One has blank outlines, giving you the freedom to add your own colors.
The other is pre-filled with colorful shades, making it easier for you to just print and cut.
If you want to customize your numbat, use the blank template and add your own colors.
But if you’re doing this craft with a group of kids, the colorful template is perfect for printing multiple copies and handing them out.
Tip: If you’re organizing a group activity and aiming to spark creativity, give the uncolored versions to the kids. Encourage them to use their imagination to make the numbat uniquely beautiful.
Step 3: Getting the Shapes Ready
Once you’ve picked your template, it’s time to cut out the shapes for the numbat.
I’ve already done the cutting, so now let’s move on to assembling the pieces in the steps below.
Step 4: Assembling the Numbat
Now that you have the cutouts ready (if you have already cut), it’s time to align the shapes accurately and put together the structure of the numbat with care.
Start by using the main body structure as the foundation of the craft, then attach the head shape to the top.
After that, glue the fur shape to the back of the numbat’s body.
Numbats usually have bushy fur on their backs, with brown shades and white stripes. Also, their mouths are typically long and pointed.
Step 5: Assembling the Arms and Legs
Now that I have the main body structure ready, it’s time to put together the arms and legs of the paper numbat.
I glued one of the arms and legs from behind the structure and attached the others to the top.
Step 6: Sticking the Ears and the bushy tail
Next, I attached the tail below its body, giving it a lifelike appearance in this position.
These little details really make your crafted structures pop with realism.
Finally, I carefully aligned and stuck the tiny ears onto the numbat.
Check out the image below for the completed structure of the paper numbat.
Perfecting the details and shading the facial features brings paper structures to life, just like the one we’ve just crafted.
Now, let’s explore more about numbats and pass on this knowledge to children (use this as a learning opportunity, kids will learn a lot in a fun way).
Amazing Facts about Numbats that can be discussed while crafting
- Numbats are a small creature popular in Australia and are well known as the banded anteater.
- They are among the few marsupials that are diurnal which means they are active during the day rather than at night.
- They solely feed on termites and this particular diet is made possible by their long, sticky tongue that they use to extract termites from their nests.
- Numbats have distinctive shades, with reddish-brown fur and white stripes running down their back.
Video Walkthrough of Numbat paper craft for kids
Final Thoughts
Use this craft as a springboard to discuss numbats in more detail (Taking it as an opportunity to make your kids learn).
Their diet, diurnal nature, and unique appearance can be fascinating talking points.
Also, briefly touch upon the endangered status of numbats, encouraging kids to appreciate the importance of conservation efforts.
While the provided template uses paper, consider using felt or construction foam for a sturdier and more durable craft.
The pre-colored template is perfect for large groups, allowing kids to jump right into crafting without needing to color.
Encourage kids to personalize their numbats by adding details like glitter, googly eyes, or even drawing their own unique stripes.
Note: For your reference I have also uploaded the complete video walkthrough of paper Numbat craft on our official YouTube channel.
