Arts & Crafts

DIY Jointed “Green Gobbler” Monster Craft

By: Highlights Editorial
A hinged grabber toy eating a plastic building block.
30
minute activity
For All Ages
Creativity
Curiosity

Your kids will learn about joints and hinges by putting together this make-it-yourself Green Gobbler monster craft. As they fit the pieces together, they’ll also be improving their dexterity (cutting and pasting) and their sequencing skills (following directions).

What You'll Need

What to Do

  1. Glue two sheets of thin cardboard together. Glue cardstock on top.

  2. Draw the shapes and dots shown. Cut out the shapes.

  3. Add an eye and a nose with cardstock and markers. Punch holes in the dots.

  4. Use metal fasteners to connect the shapes as shown.

  5. Manipulate the gobbler to make him move.

Extend the Fun

For younger kids: Pretend the Green Gobbler eats only green food—and green desserts! What foods might he enjoy? Do you like them too? Design a menu and decorate it using crayons and stickers. If you can’t write, dictate your menu to a grown-up.

For older kids: Pose the Green Gobbler around the house in hilarious positions to surprise your family—like a dinosaur of yore, he can eat a cookie in the kitchen, grab a washcloth in the bathroom, snatch the remote in the TV room, devour a stick on the front lawn or the fire escape. Or use the Green Gobbler as a bulletin board of sorts. Stretch him and stand him on your desk; stick Post-It notes on him to remind you of homework assignments, birthdays or upcoming sports events and parties.

Author Photo
By: Highlights Editorial