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Kids' Krafts: Shape crafty critters from papier-mache

By Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, Source: MCT News Service

Kids can get ready to celebrate National Wildlife Week March 15-21 and learn how animals survive in the wild by attending an enrichment program at their local zoo.

Kids visiting the Akron Zoo can help the enrichment team make papier-mache animals that, when filled with treats, encourage the animals to hunt as they would in the wild.

The treat-filled prey will be placed in animal cages, and visitors can watch snow leopards, lions, tigers, sloth bears and golden-lion tamarins participate in enrichment activities each day.

You can make a papier-mache animal as your own enrichment activity with these instructions.

These animals are not intended to be given to live animals (you wouldn't want them to eat pipe cleaners and felt), but are for your enjoyment.

	Supplies you will need:
	_Water.
	_Flour.
	_Newspaper.
	_Mixing bowl.
	_Wooden spoon.
	_Balloons.
	_Tape.
	_Cardboard.
	_Paints and brushes.

Use wooden spoon to mix water and flour together, one part flour to two parts water, until it is the consistency of thick glue. It should not be runny, but not thick like paste. Mix well to remove any lumps.

Tear newspaper into strips.

Blow up balloons and tape or twist into a basic body shape.

To make feet, cut the cardboard into short strips and fold in half. Tape two or four of these to one side of the balloon. Place the balloon on a flat surface to make sure it's balanced evenly on its legs.

Dip a newspaper strip into the paste mixture. Pull it between two fingers to remove the excess, then place the strip onto your balloon starting at one end of the strip. Do this until the entire balloon and cardboard feet are covered evenly.

Allow your animal to dry a bit and shape, if necessary.

When dry, paint and let dry.

If you would like, make ears, tail and any other features from felt, and glue them onto your animal. Whiskers, antennae and tails can be made with the pipe cleaners. Glue them in place.

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(If you have a craft idea or question, contact Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; 330-996-3565; or via e-mail at kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.)

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(c) 2010, Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio).

Visit Akron Beacon Journal Online at http://www.ohio.com/.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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PHOTO (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): kidskrafts