This fun cardboard shield is created to look like a soldier's shield from ancient Rome. It stays on the simple side, to really look authentic.
It has brass brads to give the "metal stud" look of old wooden shields. It also uses bright but simple colors to help keep the shield truly looking like it's from ancient Rome.
This craft is a great way to get kids into history. While the children are making the shields, use the time to tell them about ancient warriors and ancient Rome.
Explain that metal studs (the brass brads) were used to help strengthen the wooden (cardboard) shields.
Approximate Time: 25 minutes
Supplies:
- Large Cardboard
- Red craft paint
- Yellow craft paint
- paintbrush
- brass brads
- safety pin
- yarn or twine
- glue
- scissors
Instructions:
- Depending on the child's age, either have them cut out a large oval from the cardboard, or have an adult cut it out for them. The cardboard oval should be about 2 and 1/2 feet tall and 1 and 1/2 feet wide.
- Have the child paint the entire "shield" in red paint. Let paint dry.
- Decorate the red "shield" with simple yellow lines. Let dry. Let the child choose their own design, just try to keep it simple.
- Use a safety pin to poke holes in the cardboard. Push brass brads into the holes to create a few "studs", like ancient shields used. Brads should be used in the middle and top ends of the shield.
- Cut a short piece of yarn or twine and glue it to the back of the shield to create a handle. Let dry.
By Aysha from Boise, Idaho
