Make a colourful 3D Pattern Art Yabby with this printable art project. This is the third instalment in our freshwater animal pattern art series.
Yabbies are freshwater crayfish commonly found across Australia. They happen to be a favourite menu item of the platypus, shared as a craft a couple of weeks ago. So, I thought it was fitting to include them in our freshwater animal series, too.
You know… just in case the platypus get hungry.
Yabbies are hardy little crustaceans. They’re able to survive through drought by burying themselves deep in the mud and going to sleep for months, or sometimes years. This digging tendency has earned them the scientific name of Cherux Destructor because of the damage they cause to farm dams and levee banks.
As a kid, I was terrified of being bitten on the toe by one of these critters while swimming in natural swimming holes—it never happened, thankfully. Their claws look scary, but in reality, yabbies are so good at hiding, you’re lucky if you even see one.
Most Yabbies are brown, black, or blue. But we think they look pretty good in rainbow, too!
This craft involves basic colouring, patterning, cutting, folding and gluing. The completed yabby sits raised from the page with the help of a body support. The surrounding habitat of rocks and pondweed has been given a 3D effect using our support squares, too.
Age recommendation is 8 and up. Older kids will be able to create more complex patterns. Younger kids can still do this project with some adult help.
For colouring, I’ve used graphic markers similar to these (affiliate link), plus fineliner felt tips for the patterning. You can use whatever materials you prefer.
Cardstock is necessary for this craft.
Are you ready to get started?
How to make a 3D Pattern Art Yabby
You will need
- Cardstock in white – 2 sheets per artwork
- Cardstock in grey (or similar nautral colour for creek bed)
- Markers – permanent or graphic markers work best
- Fine liners for detailed patterning (optional)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- The 3D Yabby template, available from our printables and also on ETSY
How To
Print the yabby template out according to the instructions in the download.
Colour the yabby, legs, rocks and weed.
Use fine liners to decorate each section with pattern art.
Cut the shapes out.
Cut the support strips out, then fold and glue them into squares.
Fold and glue the body support into a 3D shape. Glue this onto the space marked on the legs page.
Fold the tabs on the claws. Glue one to each side of the body piece.
Fold the tab on the Yabby’s Tail. Glue the Yabby’s body into place on the body support. Glue the tail tab flat to the page, folded beneath the tail.
Glue the antennae either side of the Yabby’s nose.
Arrange the rocks and weed around the yabby to decorate. For a 3D effect, raise some pieces on the 3D supports and glue others flat to the page.
Also in this series
See all our pattern art projects here.
