DLTK's Educational Activities
Canteen Paper Plate Craft

Create a fun and educational canteen craft using simple materials like paper plates, paint, and string.

Materials:

• two small paper plates (styrofoam plates will work, but you'll need to use acrylic paint)
• green and black tempra paint (or acrylic paint if using styrofoam plates).  (if you don't have black it isn't the end of the world -- you can leave it out or substitute brown or yellow)
• glue
• ribbon, string or wool
• film canister or lid from mouthwash
• sponge or cotton ball
• scissors and hole punch

Instructions:

• put some tempra paint in a margarine container lid or a spare paper plate.
• Put a bunch of green and a smidge of black (or brown or yellow) in the paper plate.  DON'T mix them.
• Dab the sponge or cotton ball into the paint and dab it onto the paper plates (the bottom of the plates is what we're using, not the part you eat off of).
• Keep dipping and dabbing until you're happy with the look.  It's ok if some of the white shows through
• Let dry
• Glue a piece of black construction paper across the middle of the plates or paint a black line.
• Glue or staple the plates together rim to rim.
• Cut two slits in the top of the paper plate the same width apart as the film canister or mouthwash lid
   
  • Wash the film canister or mouthwash lid very well.  Use a bit of bleach when washing the film canister lid as there's often residual chemical left inside.
  • Slide it into the slits from the paper plate.  You can add a bit of glue if you want to make it sturdier
• Poke holes on either side of the canteen and put your string/wool/ribbon through so the child can wear their canteen.

NOTE:  if you're worried about the children injuring themselves if they get the string tangled, punch the holes very close to the edge of the paper plate.  That way the plate will rip if the string gets tangled.

Judy wrote:
I work in a Civil War museum and I used your canteen craft instructions to teach children about a Civil War soldier's piece of essential equipment.  I substituted foam plates, and then covered the completed "canteen" with beige felt, to make it look like a Civil War canteen.  It turned out really great!

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