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How to Make a Cactus for a Diorama

Cactuses come in all shapes and sizes.
cactus image by Vasina Nazarenko from Fotolia.com

A diorama is a miniature 3-D picture portraying a specific scene or event. Desert dioramas are a creative way to teach children about desert plants and animals. When making a desert diorama, never leave out the cactus.

Cactuses come in all shapes and sizes.
cactus image by Vasina Nazarenko from Fotolia.com

Things You'll Need:

  • Scissors
  • Craft Paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Pencil
  • Brown Clay
  • Sand
  • Cardboard
  • Glue

Draw a picture of the desired cactus on a piece of cardboard. Types of cactuses found in the desert include saguaro, barrel and aloe vera.

Cut out the picture using scissors.

Paint the cactus green using a paintbrush. Add details such as grooves and spines using a thinner paintbrush and either brown, black or a darker green paint. Allow the paint to dry.

Mount your cactus in the diorama with clay. Take a small ball of clay the width of a dime. Stick it on the floor of the diorama where you want the cactus positioned. Push the bottom stem of the cactus into the mound of clay so the cactus is standing up.

Paint some glue onto the clay and the bottom of the diorama and sprinkle some sand on the ground.

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