My kids and I have been having so much fun this week making dragons and goats for Chinese New Year (2015 is the year of the Goat). Every month we’re sent a box of random materials as part of the Bostik Craft Bloggers Club with Tots100. As it’s half term next week I bet you guys are looking for activities to keep the little peeps happy, so here’s how to make a Dragon puppet (or windsock) and Goat for Chinese New Year!

Dragon Puppet or windsock

These guys have brilliant tails which billow and twirl whether they’ve been propped up to make a windsock or used as a hand-held puppet. They’re also very adaptable which means you can use the same basic design and customise the face etc.

What You’ll Need

Bostik Glu Dots

Paper Cup

Small Polystyrene Balls

Googly Eyes

Foam

Pipe cleaner

Ric-rac or Ribbon

Tissue Paper

Lolly sticks

Sticky Tape

Photos are great when it comes to craft tutorials but I thought it would be easier for this one if I also provided you with a video showing exactly how it’s made. There are also text instructions and a couple of pics below.

Step 1 – Start by drawing and cutting out a mouth from the flat end of the paper cup.

Step 2 – Using your Bostik Glu Dots stick two polystyrene balls to the back of the cup to make eyes. Stick googly eyes on top to finish.

Step 3 – Grab some foam (I used foam wristbands) and draw out two eyebrow shapes. Stick these onto the top of the eyes using more Glu Dots.

Step 4 – Pick up the pipe cleaner and fold in half to make the Dragon’s horns. Stick between the eyes using Glu Dots.

Step 5 – Take a short length of foam and fold the ends into the centre to make nostrils. Secure using Glu Dots.

Step 6 – Cut half a moustache out from foam, repeat to make a second half. Cut ric rac or ribbon to the same length or a little longer and use a Glu Dot to stick on top of the moustache.

Step 7 – Stick the nostils onto the thinner end of the paper cup using a Glu Dot. Then stick the moustache into place just under the edges of the nostrils.

Step 8 – Next cut a length of foam (or half a wristband) and stick to the paper cup behind the nostrils to make the bridge of the Dragon’s nose.

Step 9 – Take some tissue paper and stick to the inside of the paper cup using sticky tape. We also cut out thinner lengths of tissue paper from a contrasting colour to make streamers, stick to the cup.

Step 10 – This next bit is for the adults!! Cut two small holes in the bottom of the Dragon’s face and insert two lolly sticks. Add a third which is placed between the first two and bind together using sticky tape.

Play with your Dragon!

Goat

This little guy is really cute and very quick to make!

What You’ll Need

Bostik Foam Pads

1 Polystyrene Ball

Wool

Cardboard

Pipe Cleaner

Pens

Step 1 – Pick up your polystyrene ball and attach the end of a ball of wool using a Bostik Foam Pad.

Step 2 – Wind the wool round and round until the ball is completely covered. Secure the end by tucking under the wound wool. You can use another Foam Pad or a Glu Dot if needed.

Step 3 – Cut a pipe cleaner into four pieces and bend one end of each piece to make feet. Push these into the ball.

Step 4 – Draw a face for your Goat onto cardboard. Cut out.

Step 5 – Stick onto the front of your ball using Foam Pads and ta-da you have your Goat!