Make a Medieval Shield!

What You Need:

• Piece of cardboard (about 2 to 3 feet)
• Sponges or foam that can easily be cut
• Scissors
• Markers
• Acrylic paint
• Glue
• Construction paper

What You Do:

1. Using a marker, have your child draw out the shape of your shield onto the cardboard. Remember that shields came in a lot of different shapes, some oval, some pointed at the top, some half circle, etc.
2. Have your child cut out your shield shape using your scissors.
3. Place different colors of construction paper onto your shield to see how many sheets you will need to cover your shield.
4. Using a marker, have you child draw out different shapes that will represent him as a knight. The shapes might be animals or objects that bring your knight strength.
5. Cut out your sponge shapes using your scissors.
6. Put different colors of acrylic paint into small cups that you can dip you sponge shapes into.
7. Lightly dip your sponge shapes into the paint and wipe off any excess. Make sure there isn't too much paint on the sponge so that your shape doesn't end up looking like a blob.
8. Lightly press the paint-filled sponge shape onto your construction paper shapes. You should be able to press 2 or 3 times before getting more paint.
9. Allow 10-15 minutes for your paint to dry.
10. Next, have your child glue the construction paper shapes onto his cardboard shield.
11. Now he's ready to use his knight shield in the next tournament! Or even hang his shields on a wall as a family crest.