Egyptian Crafts to Make
- A cartouche is an oblong figure that bears the name of Egyptian royalty or divine entities. Cartouches are found on ancient Egyptian monuments. The names etched on a cartouche are rendered in hieroglyphics, the Ancient Egyptian writing system. To have your class make a cartouche, you will need to help them translate their names into hieroglyphics. You can find translators or hieroglyphic charts online and print them out for the students. After they print out their names in hieroglyphs, have the students cut out each glyph. They should then cut a piece of cardboard into an oblong shape that can accommodate all the hieroglyphs. Have them place the cardboard on top of a sheet of yellow construction paper and cut out the oblong shape and then glue the yellow paper to the cardboard. Finally, have them glue their hieroglyphics to the side with the yellow paper. Finish the cartouche by making a loop with a pipe cleaner and gluing it to the cardboard side so the students can hang up their projects.
- Children find mummies fascinating. Depending on how old your students are, teach them about the intricate process used by Ancient Egyptians to mummify their dead. As you describe the entire process, have them make their own mummies. You can have them use dolls purchased at dollar or craft stores. Students should wrap their dolls with papier mache or plaster for a realistic look.
- Have your students draw the great pyramids. Encourage them to use different media, such as acrylic paints or conte crayons. When they are done, have them add a thin layer of glue to the whichever areas of their artwork they desire. Before the glue dries, have them carefully pour actual sand over the glue. Set the artwork aside and let the glue dry completely. Once the glue is dry they should shake off excess sand.
- Making papyrus is best suited to older students, You need to use a plant that resembles papyrus or river weed, so this project is significantly more involved than the previous three. Whichever plant you use, make sure it does not break easily. Weave the pieces of river weed together until you have a standard 8-by-11-inch page. Use a wooden mallet to pound the sheet of paper flat on both sides. Hang it up and allow it to dry thoroughly before writing on it.
