Make an Armadillo

K - 2 Activity - Teacher Directions

Armadillo

Background

The armadillo has hard, bony plates or "armor" that protect it from animal predators. There are nine "bands" or joints in the armor. The bands let the armadillo roll up into a ball for more protection. Armadillos eat insects and dig burrows. They always have four babies, which develop from the same egg. The armadillo is a Texas Symbol. Learn more on the armadillo wildlife fact sheet.

Materials

Scissors
Glue
One 8" by 5" piece of corrugated cardboard
Plastic cap from ball point pen
Pencil
Cut outs of armadillo body parts.
Crayons or markers

Directions
  1. Trace the body of the armadillo onto the piece of corrugated cardboard. Or cut out the body parts and color.
  2. Draw and color body parts on the cardboard. Or paste onto the cardboard.
  3. With the end of the plastic pen cap, pick and scrape away the paper that covers the corrugated ridges within the body shape that was traced.
    If needed, use a damp rag to smooth away clumps of paper that still cling to the corrugation.

  4. Color the other armadillo body parts brown.
  5. Cut out the colored body parts of the armadillo and glue them onto the cardboard to make an armadillo.

The rough corrugated area feels similar to the rough protective shell of the armadillo!