Swirly Lion Craft for Kids

They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, so we think this swirly lion craft for kids is perfect for the start of this month! With just a few paper strips, your kids will be giving this lion a magnificent-looking mane.

It’s a fun project to make in the classroom or at home, as it can easily be adapted to suit all ages; just use more or fewer paper strips to make it age-appropriate. 

Naturally, this lion craft can be made throughout the year.

*This post contains affiliate links*

We love sharing all kinds of animal crafts with you, as most of these are popular all year round.

You can use our template to make this one, or you can show your kids our how to draw a lion tutorial and have them just draw the head to use in with this craft.

How to Make the Swirly Lion Craft for Kids

What you need:

• our printable template (optional) or a hand-drawn lion head
• white print paper
• cardstock in any color of your choosing
• scissors
• glue

Step by Step Tutorial

Grab the pre-colored template, or let the kids add color the black and white one.

Then, find some sturdy paper for the background (we’re using green cardstock), and cut a few strips from colorful paper (we used orange for the mane).

Have kids cut out the lion’s head.

Have them trace the head with a pencil on the cardstock. This step is optional but will make things easier.

Then, have the kids apply the glue to the lion’s head.

Encourage them to start gluing on the paper strips circularly.

Then, have kids start swirling the strips to make the lion’s mane.

Apply glue to the end of the curled paper strip.

Then, have them glue it to the cardstock so it stays in place.

Have kids repeat the steps with all paper strips.

And at last, have them glue on the head to the center.

The swirly lion paper craft is completed!