Dimensional squirrel from paper: master class for creativity with children

If you want to please your child with a fall craft or decorate the interior for the holiday of autumn, make a three-dimensional squirrel from paper. This figure is not flat, like origami, but expressive, with a fluffy tail, ears and feet. It looks great on a shelf, windowsill or as part of a forest composition with leaves and mushrooms.

The squirrel is assembled from simple shapes - cylinders and ovals form the basis. Even younger schoolchildren can cope with the task with minimal help. You can work both with white paper (and color) and with already colored paper.

Read also: Squirrel from colored paper

What you'll need

• Colored paper: orange, white, black
• Scissors
• Glue stick or PVA
• A simple pencil
• Black felt-tip pen or marker
• A bit of absorbent cotton or green paper for a coaster (optional)

Step 1: Base - Torso

Take a piece of orange paper (you can use A4 or a 15×15 cm square). Roll it into a tube to make a cylinder, which will become the body of the squirrel. Glue the edge so that the construction does not fall apart. The height is optional, but not too high, so that the squirrel can stand stable.

The bottom of the cylinder can be slightly notched crosswise and the petals bent inwards - this will make it more sturdy. Glue to the cardboard stand if necessary.

Step 2: Head

Cut out an oval or circle from the same paper to make the squirrel's head. Slightly fold in the center and glue to the top of the body. To give volume, you can glue two identical ovals together, putting a strip of paper between them - you will get not just a circle, but a drop-shaped volumetric form.

Now add the eyes: you can cut out circles from white paper and draw black pupils, or use ready-made decorative eyes. A small circle of black paper will do for the nose. The ears are two small triangles glued to the sides of the head.

Step 3: Paws and tummy

For the front legs, cut out two narrow strips, fold them into an accordion (3-4 folds), glue them to the front part of the body, so they will stick forward. The back legs are made in the same way, but glued on the sides closer to the base.

You can make the belly white - cut out an oval overlay and glue it in the center of the torso. This will make the squirrel even more expressive.

Step 4: Tail

The tail is the most spectacular part of the squirrel. Cut out a large curl of orange paper to resemble the letter "C" or half a heart. For volume, glue two identical tails together and insert a strip of absorbent cotton or folded paper inside. The design becomes lush and voluminous.

The tail is glued to the back at an angle. You can add a pattern or a tassel from another color.

Step 5: Stand and decoration

Glue the squirrel to the round cardboard base. Decorate around it with paper leaves, paper nuts, add painted mushrooms or cutouts from colored magazines. You can also make an acorn and put it in the squirrel's paws to make a story.

Useful tips

• To keep the squirrel from falling backwards, weight the base down
• Don't be afraid to use different shades of paper - ginger, terracotta, brown
• The tail can be additionally stitched along the contour or decorated with a pattern
• If you make a squirrel out of white paper and add glitter, you will get a winter version

Conclusion

Paper squirrel crafts are not only a way to keep your child busy, but also a great opportunity to show your imagination. Such a figure will enliven the autumn interior, suitable for a school exhibition or home corner. Simple shapes, minimum tools and maximum creativity - this is what makes paper crafts fascinating and accessible to all ages.