Crafty Fun: How to Make a Paper Snake That Wiggles!

Making a paper snake is a classic, fun, and surprisingly engaging craft project that’s perfect for kids (and adults who are young at heart!). It’s simple enough for beginners, yet allows for creativity and customization. This guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions to create a paper snake that actually wiggles! Get ready for some slithery fun!

## What You’ll Need:

* **Colored Construction Paper:** Choose your favorite colors! Green, brown, yellow, and even vibrant rainbow hues work well for snakes. Several sheets will allow for mistakes and variations.
* **Scissors:** Safety scissors are recommended for younger children. Adults should supervise closely.
* **Glue Stick or Liquid Glue:** A glue stick is less messy, but liquid glue can provide a stronger hold. If using liquid glue, apply it sparingly.
* **Pencil or Pen:** For drawing the spiral and facial features.
* **Ruler (Optional):** For creating straight lines if desired.
* **Googly Eyes (Optional):** To add a touch of personality to your snake. You can also draw the eyes.
* **Markers, Crayons, or Colored Pencils (Optional):** For adding patterns and details to your snake’s skin.
* **String or Yarn (Optional):** For hanging your snake.

## Step-by-Step Instructions:

**Step 1: Preparing the Spiral**

1. **Choose Your Paper:** Select the color of construction paper you want for the body of your snake. A standard 8.5 x 11-inch sheet works well, but you can use larger paper for a bigger snake.
2. **Draw a Spiral:** This is the most important step! Place your paper on a flat surface. Using a pencil or pen, start drawing a spiral from the center of the paper outwards. The spiral doesn’t have to be perfect; variations will add character to your snake. Aim for a spiral that takes up most of the paper, leaving a small border around the edges.
* **Tips for Drawing a Good Spiral:**
* **Start in the Center:** Begin your spiral in the very center of the paper.
* **Keep the Lines Even:** Try to keep the lines of the spiral relatively even in width. This will help your snake maintain a consistent shape.
* **Don’t Overlap:** Avoid overlapping the lines of the spiral. They should run parallel to each other.
* **Vary the Thickness (Optional):** You can experiment with making the spiral thicker or thinner in certain areas to create a more interesting snake shape.
3. **Cutting the Spiral:** Carefully cut along the spiral line you just drew. Start from the outside edge and work your way towards the center. Take your time and try to stay as close to the line as possible. This is where younger children may need assistance.
* **Tips for Cutting:**
* **Small Cuts:** Make small, controlled cuts. This will help you stay on the line.
* **Rotate the Paper:** Instead of moving the scissors a lot, rotate the paper as you cut. This can make it easier to follow the spiral.
* **Go Slowly:** Don’t rush! Take your time and focus on cutting accurately.
* **Adult Supervision:** Always supervise children when using scissors.

**Step 2: Creating the Snake’s Head**

1. **Cut Out a Head Shape:** From a separate piece of construction paper (or the same color as the body, if you prefer), cut out a snake head shape. This can be a simple triangle, an oval, or a more elaborate design. Consider the size of your spiral – the head should be proportionate to the body. You can also create a more detailed head with a forked tongue.
2. **Add Details to the Head:** Use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to add details to the snake’s head. Draw eyes, nostrils, and any other features you want to include. You can also use googly eyes for a more playful look. If you’re feeling creative, draw scales or patterns on the head as well.
3. **Create a Forked Tongue (Optional):** Cut a small strip of red construction paper. Cut a small slit down the middle of one end to create the forked tongue. Glue the other end of the strip to the back of the snake’s head so the forked tongue sticks out.

**Step 3: Attaching the Head to the Body**

1. **Identify the Center:** Find the center of the spiral. This is the innermost point of the paper coil.
2. **Apply Glue:** Apply a small amount of glue to the back of the snake’s head.
3. **Attach the Head:** Carefully attach the snake’s head to the center of the spiral. Make sure it’s securely attached and facing the correct direction. Hold it in place for a few seconds to allow the glue to set.

**Step 4: Adding Details and Decorations (Optional)**

1. **Decorate the Body:** Now it’s time to get creative and decorate the snake’s body. Use markers, crayons, colored pencils, or paint to add scales, patterns, or other designs. You can create stripes, spots, diamonds, or any other pattern you like. Let your imagination run wild!
2. **Add Texture:** For added texture, you can glue on small pieces of glitter, sequins, or other embellishments. Be careful not to use too much glue, as this can make the paper soggy.
3. **Create a Hanging Loop:** If you want to hang your snake, punch a small hole in the head and thread a piece of string or yarn through it. Tie the ends of the string together to create a loop.

**Step 5: Making the Snake Wiggle!**

1. **Hold the Snake:** Hold the snake up by the head. Let the spiral body dangle down.
2. **Gentle Movement:** Gently move the head from side to side or up and down. The spiral body should naturally wiggle and move like a real snake!
3. **Experiment:** Experiment with different movements to see how the snake reacts. You can also try blowing on the snake to make it move.

## Tips and Tricks for a Better Paper Snake:

* **Use Different Types of Paper:** Experiment with different types of paper, such as cardstock or scrapbook paper, to create snakes with different textures and appearances.
* **Create Different Sizes:** Make snakes of different sizes by using different sizes of paper and varying the width of the spiral.
* **Add a Rattle:** Cut out a small piece of cardboard or heavy paper and fold it in half. Glue small beans or pebbles inside to create a rattle. Attach the rattle to the end of the snake’s tail.
* **Make a Snake Mobile:** Create several paper snakes and hang them from a mobile to create a fun and colorful decoration.
* **Customize the Head:** Get creative with the snake’s head! You can make it look like a cobra with a hood, a viper with fangs, or any other type of snake you can imagine.
* **Consider the Weight:** Lighter paper will wiggle more easily, while heavier paper will be more durable. Choose the paper weight based on your desired effect.
* **Experiment with Spiral Width:** A wider spiral will create a more dramatic wiggle, while a narrower spiral will be more subtle.
* **Reinforce the Head:** If you find that the head is tearing easily, reinforce it with a piece of cardboard or extra paper glued to the back.

## Variations and Extensions:

* **Chain Snake:** Instead of a spiral, cut out paper rings and link them together to create a chain snake. Decorate each ring with different patterns and colors.
* **Accordion Snake:** Fold a long strip of paper accordion-style. Draw a snake head on one end and a tail on the other. Decorate the body with scales and patterns.
* **3D Snake:** Create a more three-dimensional snake by stuffing the body with cotton balls or crumpled paper. Use wire or pipe cleaners to create a poseable snake.
* **Snake Puppet:** Glue the paper snake to a popsicle stick or dowel rod to create a snake puppet. Use it to put on a puppet show.
* **Themed Snakes:** Create snakes that are themed around different holidays or events. For example, you could make a red and green snake for Christmas or a black and orange snake for Halloween.

## Educational Benefits:

Making a paper snake is not only fun but also offers several educational benefits for children:

* **Fine Motor Skills:** Cutting, gluing, and decorating the snake helps to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
* **Creativity and Imagination:** Decorating the snake encourages creativity and imagination.
* **Problem-Solving:** Figuring out how to make the snake wiggle and experimenting with different techniques helps to develop problem-solving skills.
* **Following Instructions:** Following the step-by-step instructions helps children learn to follow directions.
* **Color Recognition:** Choosing and using different colors helps to reinforce color recognition.

## Safety Considerations:

* **Scissors:** Always supervise children when using scissors. Use safety scissors for younger children.
* **Glue:** Use glue sparingly to avoid making the paper soggy. Avoid getting glue in your eyes.
* **Small Parts:** Be careful when using small parts such as googly eyes or glitter, as they can be a choking hazard for young children.

## Conclusion:

Making a paper snake is a simple, fun, and educational craft project that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple materials and a little bit of creativity, you can create a slithery friend that will provide hours of entertainment. So gather your supplies, follow these instructions, and get ready to make a paper snake that wiggles!

Now that you’ve mastered the basic paper snake, why not try experimenting with different variations and extensions? You can create snakes of different sizes, colors, and textures, or even add a rattle or turn it into a puppet. The possibilities are endless! Have fun crafting!