Easy Upcycled Octopus
Under 30 min.
All Ages
What Will You Make?
Using a toilet paper roll and common art supplies, make your own friendly octopus.
What Will You Learn?
Campers will practice informal and formal measurement math skills. Younger campers will benefit from working with scissors and developing fine motor skills.
Make Your Octopus
Cut Construction Paper
Mark a line on the tube. Make a mark on the opposite side as well. Place the tube against the paper, lining up your marks with the top edge of the paper. Line up the left edge of the tube with the left edge of the paper. Mark the right edge of the tube on the paper. Slowly roll the tube, marking the right edge of the tube on the paper several times as you go. When the marks on the inside of tube hits the paper again, make a vertical mark on the paper. Use the ruler to draw lines, taking care to add 1/4 in (6 mm) to the length so that it overlaps when the tube is wrapped. Your piece will be approximately 6 inches long by about 4 1/2 inches wide, depending on your tube.
Wrap the Tube
Cover the construction paper with glue. Carefully wrap the tube in the paper, taking care to keep the paper straight. Gently press the paper to the tube over the entire surface. Make sure the paper overlaps in the back. Use extra glue to make sure it is secure. Allow to dry.
Cut the Tentacles
If desired, wrap a rubber band around the tube, about 2/3 from the bottom of the tube, about 3 inches form the bottom. Otherwise, use your ruler to measure from the bottom and mark several points to create a line around the circumference of the tube. This demarks the head of the octopus from the body. Cut 8 tentacles, each about 3/4″ wide.
Complete the Octopus
Gently fold the tentacles out from the body. Using your fingers or the barrel of your marker, curl the ends of the tentacles. Decorate the face as desired.
What Is Happening Here?
Measurement and Data
This fun art project also gives campers the opportunity to define measurement terms such as length and width while using an informal method of measuring the paper. Of course, if you want campers to practice with rulers, you can have them measure the length of the tube with a ruler to determine how much paper is needed. Use dressmakers measuring tape to determine the width around the tube.
Older students can calculate the circumference of the tube by measuring the diameter. You can even have them take formal measurements first, make predictions for length and width, and then use the informal measurement method shown to test their predictions.
And of course, it’s an opportunity to practice the old adage, “Measure twice. Cut once.”
What's Next?
Mix It Up
Use pictures of other sea creatures to design your own upcycled animals. Make a mobile by hanging your creatures from a coat hanger, using strips of paper, ribbon or fabric as seaweed.
Materials:
- One toilet paper roll
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Marker or pencil
- Glue stick
- Google eyes (optional)
- Rubber band (optional)
Maker Camp Project Standards
Based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)
National Core Arts Standards
The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. These standards provide goals for Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art. The Anchor Standards include:- Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
- Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
- Refine and complete artistic work.
- Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
- Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
- Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
- Perceive and analyze artistic work.
- Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
- Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
- Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
- Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
National Core Arts Standards
The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. Also see Standards with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art for Visual Arts.NGSS MS.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
- MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
- MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
NGSS HS.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
- HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
- HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
- HS-ETS1-4. Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.
NGSS K-2 Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
- K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
- K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
NGSS 3-5.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
- 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
