Making a Shoebox Diorama

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Ranked #23 in How-To, #227 overall

The classic shoebox diorama is a childhood rite of passage. Although it can be used for school work, your children may enjoy making them just for fun. Make a diorama alongside your child today with this step by step tutorial.

Diorama Inspiration 

Shoebox Diorama by blackbirdandco

"home" - big picture by flint knits

Shoebox Diorama by epicfantasy77

diorama by Jess Hutch

78 of 365 by TheAmazingShrinkingMan

eva's gallery diorama by my sunset road

Ocean Diorama - open for show! by bigChill

Tall Tale Diorama by Old Shoe Woman

Tall Tale Diorama by Old Shoe Woman

Tall Tale Diorama by Old Shoe Woman

Unique Porthole Ocean Diorama by epicfantasy77

Tall Tale Diorama by Old Shoe Woman

Mira's Diorama by code7r

Desert Diorama by azfirstgrade

petshop diorama13 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

petshop diorama05 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

petshop diorama01 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Dioramas -- Uses and Applications 

  1. a tool for narration
  2. a book report
  3. a snapshot of history
  4. a 3D science model
  5. a fun playtime activity
  6. a creative alternative to a birthday or get well card
  7. a 3D scrapbooking project to memorialize a trip or other important event
  8. a gift

Making the Diorama -- Step One 

Create a Base

tissue boxesThe diorama base can be anything -- the traditional shoebox is only one option among many. We tend to use tissue boxes because we always have those on hand.

Look around your house and especially the kitchen for any kind of reuseable container -- cardboard, plastic, or tin. Think creatively! Odd things such as a cookie tin or a plastic ice cream bucket could make for an original diorama.

Making the Diorama -- Step Two 

Create the Background.

The simplest background could simply be colored paper -- green for grass, blue for sky, brown for earth, blue for water, etc. Or be creative with patterned papers or design your own by drawing on clouds, rocks, etc.

Making the Diorama -- Step Three 

Make and Place your Figures

diorama



Use coloring pages printed from the Internet to make figures for your diorama. You can do a websearch in your favorite search engine by entering "your topic" coloring pages.

Here are two really nice coloring pages sites -- Edupics and Kids Coloring Pages. For all of my bookmarked coloring pages sites, visit my tagfoot page.

Color your images and consider how you want to mount them to the diorama. Below is an example of a coloring page I printed for free from Coloring Castle. I drew in tabs based on where I wanted my figures to be located.

coloring page diorama figures

If you want to mount a figure to the bottom (as I want the flower to be), then leave a one inch tab at the bottom of the picture when you cut it out. Fold back the tab, and glue it to the bottom of the diorama.

diorama

<rose diorama picture

If you want it to hang from the top, add a one inch tab to the top.

diorama figures

gluing diorama figure

Another variation is to use string, yarn, or ribbon to suspend the objects from the top of the box. In this way, they will swing and give more of a realistic effect.

And of course, if you want a figure to come out from the side, leave a tab on the side of the image.

finished simple diorama

You can also use three dimensional paper models in your dioramas. Here are some wonderful free resources for those:



Or look in your toy chest for small figurines that would suit as well. Or build something from Lego blocks or Sculpey clay if you don't have quite what you need.

Plan your placement of the figures. Once you're sure of the placement, glue them on. I like to use rubber cement so that if something is not quite right, it can be repositioned.

If all of your diorama figures are inside the box, you may want to cover the opening with plastic wrap. For underwater scenes, this makes a more realistic finish.

Toobs -- Plastic Figurines for Dioramas 

and for play

Toobs are tubes filled with a set of plastic figures around a central theme. These would be perfect for a diorama!

Safari LTD Knights and Dragon Toob

Amazon Price: $11.89 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Safari LTD Ancient Egypt Toob

Amazon Price: $9.69 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Safari LTD Jamestown Settlers Toob

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Safari LTD Wild West Toob

Amazon Price: $9.11 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Safari LTD Pirates Toob

Amazon Price: $9.80 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

The Word DIORAMA

comes from Greek roots di- "through" + orama "that which is seen, a sight."

Its use meaning "a small-scale replica of a scene" dates back to 1902.

Diorama Links 

pueblo diorama

Directions and printables for making dioramas!

PRINTABLE --Habitat Dioramas
Print and color these freebies to make dioramas of Wetland, Desert, and Rainforest.
DIRECTIONS --How to Make Dioramas
Directions for making a shoebox diorama.
PRINTABLE --Prairie Mobile
Easily adaptable into a diorama! There's even a full color image that could serve as a background.
PRINTABLE --Ocean Diorama
Fish and seaweed make this very simple printable. Fun!
PRINTABLE --Crayola's Dioramas
These are painfully simple, but they may serve as a good foundation for your own ideas.
PRINTABLE --Enchanted Learning
This site has printables for ocean and forest habitat scenes as well as a dinosaur diorama. I like the directions for 3D trees!
DIRECTIONS --Under The Sea Theater Box
One Busy Mama presents a delightful tutorial for making a theater style diorama. The figures can be moved with pipe cleaners that stick out on the top of the box. Very, very fun!
PRINTABLE --Diorama Figures of Jesus and the Children
This PDF has directions and full color images of Jesus and children.
PRINTABLE --Dinosaur Diorama Printable
Look for the link to the PDF. It's a full color, complete set with ground, background, side panels, and dinosaurs. Cut, paste, and you're done.
DIRECTIONS --A Dinosaur Diorama in Seven Steps
A great idea for reusing a cardboard box. I love how this diorama was completely made by children. The backgrounds were drawn by hand and the dinosaurs were molded from rainbow clay!
DIRECTIONS --Making Sea Fans and Coral Reefs
Another ocean diorama, but this post from Homeschool Creations is quite original -- plastic canvas sea fans plus playdough coral.
PRINTABLE --Panda Diorama
This PDF from the National Zoo give directions for making a panda diorama with authentic Chinese habitat. The last page has images of foliage and animals to cut out and use in your diorama!
PRINTABLE --African Housing Diorama Templates
This printable diorama PDF shows the variety of homes found in Africa -- from huts to apartment complexes.
PRINTABLE -- Yet Another Dinosaur Diorama
This full color PDF has both figures and backgrounds.
PRINTABLE --Outer Space Diorama
A full color PDF with astronauts, a space background, space shuttle, and lunar lander. Just cut out and glue into your box.
PRINTABLE -- Giant Squid (and Whale) Diorama
A colossal squid is being chased by a whale in this print and cut diorama. There's even a strip to pull through the aquatic plants for a more interactive feel.
PRINTABLE -- Stand Up Symphony
This free printable is from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. It is complete with a conductor and musicians to color and cut out. There is also a guide to show you how to arrange them correctly.

Diorama Variations 

when you don't have a box

pyramid dioramaThese variations don't require a box at all. Just large sheets of paper, folded into 3D shapes are all that's required.
Indian Life Triarama
Michelle, a homeschooling mom, shares her Indian life triarama -- the base is a cleverly folded piece of paper!
Pyramid Diorama Blank Template
This template is for a 3D pyramid diorama that you can use for any topic. This is pictured to the right. It's especially good if your topic has three to four parts since the diorama has four sections. (If you've got three sections, on part can be uses as a title.)

This is where I upload all my files to share with others. Towards the top of the list, there is a Pyramid Diorama about the three types of rocks.
Crayola's Triarama
This shows a possible triarama with comparing two seasons in one habitat. Another example includes Anemones.
Pop-up Doll House Scene
A very clever idea! Use a file folder (or other sturdy cardstock) to make a pop-up scene that can be folded flat for storage.
How to Make a Pop up Photograph
This wikiHow article of 9 steps (with pictures) shows how to put yourself into a pop up diorama using photographs! Very, very neat!
How to make a Tunnel Book
Tunnel Books are made so that when you look THROUGH them, it gives the effect of looking at a 3-D landscape! These directions are geared toward a more advanced papercrafter, so simplify it for a child. We've made tunnel books by simply attaching tabbed figures to the accordion sides of the book.
Diorama Panoramas
This site is really fun for a more advanced student. You need a panoramic digital photo for your background and cardstock to form the base. This tutorial even includes some templates to use.
Miniature Parade Floats
What a neat idea for a homeschool coop or class project! Make rolling dioramas -- small scale floats for a parade! These examples feature a 50 states theme. But you could use the parade float idea for any topic.

Dioramas from Scholastic Books 

The following images are photos of projects taken from Scholastic books linked below. These books have such neat papercrafts! And they are so easy! Just copy, color, cut and assemble. These are easy and realistic dioramas that really teach.

Jamestown diorama by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Navaho hogan diorama by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Pequot 4 seasons5 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

apache tipi by jimmiehomeschoolmom

pueblo village by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Philadelphia diorama1 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Reproducible Books with Diorama Patterns 

The photos above came from these titles. Just copy the pages onto cardstock or paper, color, cut, and assemble. Not only are these fun, but they are educational -- each craft comes with historical notes.

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Guestbook 

Thank you for your feedback. If you upload pictures of your diorama, be sure to share the link here!

poutine wrote...

Cute thing to do for kids.

ReplyPosted June 20, 2009

junebugco wrote...

Great use of a lens for a learning tool.

ReplyPosted June 14, 2009

Deadicated wrote...

I use to love making these in school. Great lens. If your a teacher you could inspire a child's career at a museum. Today shoebox diorama's, tomorrow The Natural History Museum.

ReplyPosted June 08, 2009

Lensmaster

Captin Giggles911 wrote

these are wonderful!=)
add more on plz=)

Reply Posted May 22, 2009

mikeitloffe wrote...

This will help me spending some good&funny time with my children. Thanks a lot for your contribution. 5 stars favorites and you have a new fan! Best, Mike.

ReplyPosted May 19, 2009

Lensmaster

jhianysha23 wrote

why is my school has to make a diorama on a shoe box but you need to make a place about californa and i made a nices shoe box im going to tell you how to make it.get a bow and put stuff on them so byebye and im a 2nd grader.

Reply Posted May 12, 2009

Pastiche wrote...

I spent hours making these types of toys and displays as a child, and even as a young mom. You've made it easy and enjoyable for anyone to create a diorama. This is a terrific tutorial - lensrolling to my paper toys and family/parenting topical lenses. 5*

ReplyPosted May 12, 2009

Snozzle wrote...

Excellent. Must admit I have never heard the word diorama previously but, sure enough, it's in my dictionary and I'm a lot better informed now. To think I brought up children without this knowledge!
Mike.

ReplyPosted May 09, 2009

Lensmaster

kodiak wrote

this is amazing

Reply Posted April 28, 2009

yesido wrote...

ooooh, this brings back so many memories, thank you. I never knew they actually had a name for it. Great work.. 5*'s

ReplyPosted April 24, 2009

AppalachianCountry wrote...

This is a great project that is ideal for vacation bible school. Beautiful job on the lens.

ReplyPosted April 07, 2009

groovyoldlady wrote...

This is a unique way of teaching our kids to think INSIDE the box!

ReplyPosted April 07, 2009

 
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