Ninja Nan Craft Starter
- By Hollie Hughes
- •
- 19 Jun, 2020
- •
Make a Mini Big Top!
Every time I have a new book come out, I always get to thinking about what craft activities would work well alongside it. Usually I need a mixture - quick and easy activities for book-signings (preferably with no glue or glitter involved!) alongside more substantial ideas for longer length workshops. I was going through some old photos the other day, and I found this fabulous one of a mini Big Top we made to celebrate the publication of Ninja Nan. The first time we made these was at the lovely Chicken and Frog bookshop in Brentwood (who actually don't mind glitter and glue at all, as you can see from the pic!) and the children really enjoyed making them. We made them a few times after that, and they were always really popular - and with minimal equipment required too (which is always a bonus!)
Here's how to make a Mini Big Top for yourself:
You'll need: paper plate, party hat, plain card, pens/pencils/crayons, glue, glitter (optional!)
1. Cut a slit in your party hat to make an entrance for the Big Top, and gently curl back the edges to create a curtain effect. I was lucky with these hats, as the tinsel trim works really well for a Big Top, but any old party hats will do. Add some decoration to the inside of your curtains to make it look snazzy - we used felt tips, with a layer of glitter glue on top.
2. Now you have your opening, you will be able to measure the size your performer/s need to be. Make a spotlight disc from card, with a little stand at the bottom (so that you can attach it to your plate later). We put Ninja Nan on ours (of course!) but you can choose any circus performer you like - or perhaps you'd like to turn a member of your own family into a circus performer, just like Nan!
3. Attach the performer to your plate using glue or Sellotape (or glue dots, if you're a pro-crafter!) Again, I was lucky with my plate here, as I managed to find ones with a circus style striped pattern on the rim. But any old paper plates will do - and you can always add decoration yourself if you want to.
4. Use another piece of card to make a flag for your Big Top - if you have any sandcastle flags lying around, you could use one of those (I couldn't find any when we made ours!)
5. Finally, carefully place the Big Top over your performer, and admire! Now, don't they look STUNNING?!
Don't forget to make up a story about how your star act came to be in the circus in the first place... And do send me a picture of your Mini Big Top if you make one! In fact, I'd love to see craft projects featuring other characters from my books too - if you send me any (with your grown-up's permission, of course!), I'll feature them here.
Happy Crafting Everyone!
Here's how to make a Mini Big Top for yourself:
You'll need: paper plate, party hat, plain card, pens/pencils/crayons, glue, glitter (optional!)
1. Cut a slit in your party hat to make an entrance for the Big Top, and gently curl back the edges to create a curtain effect. I was lucky with these hats, as the tinsel trim works really well for a Big Top, but any old party hats will do. Add some decoration to the inside of your curtains to make it look snazzy - we used felt tips, with a layer of glitter glue on top.
2. Now you have your opening, you will be able to measure the size your performer/s need to be. Make a spotlight disc from card, with a little stand at the bottom (so that you can attach it to your plate later). We put Ninja Nan on ours (of course!) but you can choose any circus performer you like - or perhaps you'd like to turn a member of your own family into a circus performer, just like Nan!
3. Attach the performer to your plate using glue or Sellotape (or glue dots, if you're a pro-crafter!) Again, I was lucky with my plate here, as I managed to find ones with a circus style striped pattern on the rim. But any old paper plates will do - and you can always add decoration yourself if you want to.
4. Use another piece of card to make a flag for your Big Top - if you have any sandcastle flags lying around, you could use one of those (I couldn't find any when we made ours!)
5. Finally, carefully place the Big Top over your performer, and admire! Now, don't they look STUNNING?!
Don't forget to make up a story about how your star act came to be in the circus in the first place... And do send me a picture of your Mini Big Top if you make one! In fact, I'd love to see craft projects featuring other characters from my books too - if you send me any (with your grown-up's permission, of course!), I'll feature them here.
Happy Crafting Everyone!
