To many young children, the very phrase "knights in shining armor" brings to mind visions of the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table -- their crested shields raised and ready for battle, their shining swords flashing in the sunlight, their mighty stallions galloping across the medieval British countryside. You can fire your child's imagination this Halloween by making him or her a suit of medieval armor, from inexpensive household items such as corrugated cardboard and aluminum foil.
Things You'll Need:
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Scissors
- Twine
- Duct Tape
- Aluminum Foil
The Breastplate
Cut two pieces of cardboard into the shape of a front and back breastplate.
Cut two pieces of aluminum foil, be sure they are slightly larger than the breastplate pieces.
Lay the two aluminum foil pieces on top of the cardboard breastplate pieces.
Fold the excess aluminum foil over the edge of the cardboard breastplate pieces and secure them to the underside with duct tape.
Poke four holes into each breastplate, two near the top, and two near the middle. Attach the two breastplate pieces together with twine.
The Leg Armor
Cut four pieces of cardboard for the leg armor. The two pieces for the upper legs should be slightly wider than the two pieces for the lower legs.
Cut four pieces of aluminum foil, be sure they are slightly larger than the leg armor pieces.
Fold the excess aluminum foil over the edge of the cardboard leg armor pieces and secure them to the underside with duct tape.
Poke one hole into each side of the leg armor pieces. Thread a length of twine through the holes. You will use the twine to secure the leg armor pieces to your child's legs.
Tip
If you want a more ornate suit of armor, you or your child can lightly etch a design into the pieces of armor using a dull pair of scissors, a pencil, or a stylus.
When threading the pieces of twine through the holes in the breastplate pieces, be sure to use enough twine so that you can adjust the width between the front and back; this will make your child's costume as comfortable as it is impressive.
Warnings:
- Always use caution when you or your child is working with a pair of scissors, a pencil, or any sharp object. Be mindful of the sharp edge of the aluminum foil dispenser box.
Tips
- If you want a more ornate suit of armor, you or your child can lightly etch a design into the pieces of armor using a dull pair of scissors, a pencil, or a stylus.
- When threading the pieces of twine through the holes in the breastplate pieces, be sure to use enough twine so that you can adjust the width between the front and back; this will make your child's costume as comfortable as it is impressive.
Warnings
- Always use caution when you or your child is working with a pair of scissors, a pencil, or any sharp object. Be mindful of the sharp edge of the aluminum foil dispenser box.
Writer Bio
Baird Daily is an English instructor. She is published in the "World Literary Review" and has written about music and arts for the "Daily Athenaeum." She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Western Virginia University and is a doctoral student at the University of Kentucky.
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