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Indoor activity

Roaring Lion Mask

Transform a paper plate into a magnificent lion face with a wild paper-strip mane, then hold it up and let out your best jungle ROAR!

Ages 3-8 0-1 hours Education 4/10

Materials

  • Paper
  • Paper Plates
  • Popsicle Sticks
  • Poster Paint
  • PVA Glue
  • Scissors

Illustrated Steps

1

Paint the Lion's Face

Paint the front of a paper plate golden yellow or orange. Cover it evenly and let it dry completely.

2

Create the Wild Mane

Cut 15-20 paper strips (15cm x 2cm). Wrap each strip around a pencil to curl it, then release for wild mane fur!

3

Build the Lion's Face

Cut a triangle nose, long whiskers, and round ears from paper. Glue the nose in the centre and whiskers on each side.

4

Attach the Mane and Handle

Glue curled paper strips around the back edge of the plate as a mane. Attach a popsicle stick handle at the bottom.

What You’ll Create

RRROOOAAAARRR! 🦁👑 Your little cubs will transform an ordinary paper plate into the king of the jungle — a magnificent lion mask complete with a wild, shaggy mane! Paint the face golden, add a fearsome nose and whiskers, then surround it with a mane of curled paper strips. Hold it up on a stick and unleash your mightiest roar!

Have fun!

  • 🦁 Put on a jungle show — make masks for different animals and act out a safari story!
  • 🗣️ Practice your LOUDEST roar, your SCARIEST roar, and your SILLIEST roar!
  • 📸 Take photos of your best lion pose — frame it as jungle wall art!
  • 🌿 Build a jungle den from blankets and cushions to hide in with your mask!

Why It’s Amazing

  • Fine Motor Skills: Cutting strips, curling paper around pencils, and gluing small pieces develops precise hand control. ✂️

  • Creative Expression: Designing the face features and choosing mane colours encourages artistic decision-making. 🎨

  • Dramatic Play: The finished mask becomes a prop for imaginative play, storytelling, and character development. 🎭

  • Animal Learning: Making the mask opens conversations about lions, habitats, and what makes a mane so special in the animal kingdom. 🌍

Pro Tips

For ages 3–5: Pre-cut the mane strips and whiskers. Let them focus on painting, curling (great for fine motor practice!), and gluing. Use the popsicle stick handle rather than eye holes.

For ages 5–8: Let them cut their own strips and design the face independently. Challenge them to make the mane as big and wild as possible!

For ages 8–12: Make multiple animal masks — a lion, a tiger (orange with black stripes), a zebra (black and white). Put on a full safari puppet show!

Secret Pro Move: Scrunch some of the mane strips instead of curling them — mixing curled and scrunched pieces creates a much more realistic, textured mane! 🌟