A diorama, or shadowbox, is a three-dimensional model of a landscape or scene. The diorama designer arranges pictures, materials, rocks and figures against a backdrop in a shoe box or container to create a miniature, virtual world. A popular diorama is a jungle scene that features lions, wild rain forest animals, and foliage. A lion diorama is a good rainy day project that is inexpensive to make and can keep children busy for hours.
Things You'll Need:
- Animal Or Jungle Wrapping Paper And/Or Tissue Paper For Backdrop And Walls
- Transparent Tape
- Scissors
- Crayons, Colored Markers
- Cotton Balls
- Easter Basket Grass, Green Coconut Or Astroturf
- 3-D Figures Or Pictures Of Lions, Foliage, And Animals From Magazines, The Internet And Old Calendars
- Small Rocks Or Pebbles
- Thin Cardboard
- Craft Paint And Paintbrushes
- Optional Materials:
- Cardboard Shoe Box, Carton, Or Other Container
- Ruler To Measure For Scale
- Glue
- Stickers
Select a solid cardboard shoe box, carton or container and decide how to display the scene. Place the box on its side so it looks like a stage, or place it on its base so the view of the scene is from the top.
Choose an appropriate scale for the figures and scenery. The standard scale for doll houses and model trains is 1 inch to 1 foot; this scale is spot-on for most dioramas. For example, if you are using a Beanie baby lion as the central character, then you need to balance the other figures and foliage to the size of the lion.
Measure the items for the diorama to scale. Make adjustments to the items or replace them if they are too big or too small.
Decorate the walls and floor of the diorama with your choice of materials and art supplies such as tissue paper, animal print wrapping paper and jungle pictures from animal magazines or nature jungle calendars. Glue or tape into place.
Choose pictures or figures of lions, jungle animals and tropical plants for the center stage of the lion diorama. Glue paper pictures on thin cardboard, and cut out with scissors so they can stand up in the box. Arrange the pieces and display the central figures, the lion and other characters prominently toward the front center of the box. Glue them securely.
Finish the diorama, if desired, by spraying the interior with a light coat of craft glue.
Tip
For sparkle and texture, lightly sprinkle glitter or confetti on the walls and floor of the diorama while the spray glue is wet. If your figures are heavy, use modeling clay to secure them in place. For the jungle floor, glue green Easter basket grass, green-dyed coconut or Astroturf.
Warnings:
- This project uses sharp objects such as scissors. Supervise young children and cut out pictures for them.
Tips
- For sparkle and texture, lightly sprinkle glitter or confetti on the walls and floor of the diorama while the spray glue is wet.
- If your figures are heavy, use modeling clay to secure them in place.
- For the jungle floor, glue green Easter basket grass, green-dyed coconut or Astroturf.
Warnings
- This project uses sharp objects such as scissors. Supervise young children and cut out pictures for them.
Writer Bio
Holly Gee has been writing technical documents since 1991. Her work was published and used as training materials by Citibank, CareerBuilder.com and Newell Rubbermaid. Currently, Gee is an adjunct composition instructor at several Ohio universities and does editing work for graduate students. She holds a Master of Arts in literature from Loyola Marymount University.
Related Articles
