DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Athena Toilet Paper Roll Craft

This is a cute and simple color, cut and paste craft that uses a toilet paper roll as a base to give it a three dimensional effect.

In Greek mythology, Athena was the daughter of Zeus (born from his forehead fully grown, complete with spear and armor).  Athena was the Greek goddess of craft, wisdom and the disciplined side of war.  Her animal symbol was an owl.

Athena was a central character in many of the most commonly known Greek myths.  She turned Medusa into a gorgon with hair of snakes for bragging her beauty was greater than Athena's and then she aided Perseus in beheading Medusa.  She turned Arachne into the first spider for bragging her weaving was better than Athena's.  She aided Oddyseus during his journey home from Troy.  And she instructed Heracles (Hercules) in how to remove the skin from the Nemean Lion (the first of twelve tasks he had to perform as penance).

Basically, Athena helped heroes out and didn't like it when people bragged.

Also see:

• The Story of Medusa and Athena
  or
• The Story of Arachne, the Weaver

Materials:

• a toilet paper roll,
• printer,
• glue,
• scissors,
• something to color with,
• a piece of paper

Instructions:

• Print out the template of choice -- template 2 is optional.
• Color the pieces as appropriate and cut them out.
• Glue the large rectangular piece around the toilet paper tube.
• If using template 2 (the skirt), form it into a cone and slide it over the toilet paper roll at this time.  You can use a bit of glue around the "belt area" to hold it on, but I usually just let it sit on loosely.
• Glue the belt around the center of the toilet paper roll.
• Glue the head onto the top of the toilet paper roll.
• Glue the arms on the side.
• Glue the feet onto the bottom of the toilet paper roll, bending the tabs to make a 3D effect.
• Glue the shield and spear into Athena's hands.

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).

Template 1:  color   or   B&W

Template 2:  color   or   B&W

Printable version of this instruction page