
DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Really Big Mardi Gras Dice
Thanks to Stacey for this great idea!
These dice might not roll with perfect randomness, but they sure are fun to play with!
I put the pen beside the die in the photo so you could get a feel for the size of them.
Materials:
- 2 litre cardboard milk carton (I have no idea what size that is in the States... It's the "common" size here)
- scissors,
- ruler
- tape (masking or scotch
- glue,
- printer,
- paper,
-
something to color with (optional)
- clear contact paper (optional)
Instructions:
- Cut the top off a 2 litre milk carton.
- this is most likely an adult's job
- use a ruler to measure the width of the carton (it's just shy of 4 inches)
measure the same height and make a small mark with a pen or marker.
- Cut down the sides of the carton and fold each one over (it looks like the one side in the photo is missing, but it isn't!! it's just folded over... Don't cut them right off!).
- Tape firmly so you now have a box with all equal sides
Nothing in kid's crafts is perfect! If the sides are a little different, it isn't the end of the world.
- You have a choice of a green template, a purple template and a B&W template.
- Print template of choice and cut out the template pieces.
- you can make two dice (one green and one purple) or
- you can mix and match the colors so you end up with one die that's green and purple
- This is an easy craft to make without the templates. Just trace around your milk carton onto a piece of construction paper and cut out. Use stickers for the "dots".
- Cover a side of the milk carton with glue. Spread the glue around all over (use your finger or a paint brush)
Templates:
-
Put one of the template pieces onto the glue covered side.
- Press it down firmly and around all the edges so it's firmly attached.
- Optional: You can cut a piece of clear contact paper the same dimensions and stick it over top to "waterproof" your dice a little bit.
- Continue until you've put all the template pieces on.
- IMPORTANT: You'll notice that if you add up the dots on the templates, they always add to 7.
- Make sure that you put the template pieces that add to 7 on opposite sides of the dice (that's how real dice are)
- this is a good exercise for early grade school children to work at!
Templates:
- Close the template window after printing to return to this screen.
- Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).
Purple Dice (1 and 6) (2 and 5) (3 and 4)
Green Dice (1 and 6) (2 and 5) (3 and 4)
B&W Dice (1 and 6) (2 and 5) (3 and 4)
Print friendly version of these instructions.