Winter is coming! I thought it would be the perfect time to make a penguin. It has a pretty simple shape, so I thought it would be quick — but, as usual, I got carried away and did more than I first intended (that’s typical for me and my projects!).
Read on to see how my journey making this cute little penguin went, what I learned, and what I would improve next time. It doesn’t have to be perfect — and you don’t have to make it exactly like mine! The beauty of crafting is in using discarded materials and transforming them into charming works of art — or in this case, bringing to life a sweet baby penguin. Creativity has no bounds. Have fun with your creations!
Full tutorial on my YouTube channel:
Create the Body
Start by crumpling up pieces of newspaper to form the penguin’s body. Use tape to secure the shape and add more layers of newspaper until you achieve the desired size and roundness. This will serve as the base of your penguin.
For the wings, I used pieces of cardboard in a couple of layers to add more volume. The beak was made from two triangular pieces of cardboard, and the feet were also made of cardboard, later covered with egg carton material.
Inspirational image:
Easier option:
At 1:56 in my video, you can see a good view of the penguin’s shape. To make it faster, you can use egg carton pieces only for the wings (and skip covering the whole body in egg carton). Then just glue a layer of wiping paper all over the body, add eyes, paint — and that’s it!
My option:
I wanted to try a new technique using egg cartons. After making my animal’s basic shape from newspaper or cardboard, I usually add a layer of toilet paper roll cardboard torn into strips. It helps refine the body shape. Then I add a layer of packing paper to even out the surface, and finally, I cover everything with wiping paper.
This time, I tried soaking the egg carton in water to make it softer. I thought it would be easier to glue and shape, but I was wrong. At first, it worked well, but when it started drying, it began to peel off — even though I used a lot of wood glue. When I noticed that, I covered everything with wiping paper, which helped a lot.
I recommend using dry egg carton instead — just add wood (or school) glue to the back and stick it directly to the body. That’s what I did during the final shaping of the body. It’s important to cover the entire body in wiping paper. Use school glue diluted with water (about a 70/30 ratio). The glue should be runny enough for the paper to absorb quickly but still have a good stickiness.
I found that using my hands helped speed up the process — and using my fingers instead of a paintbrush left fewer wrinkles. In the video, you can see that I stretch the wiping paper slightly as I glue it down; this helps create a smoother surface. Adding a couple of layers of wiping paper also improves the finish.
My first idea was to make an adult penguin, but later I decided on a cartoon-style baby penguin, which is why I used so much egg carton. After looking at reference images, I made it chubbier with a larger head. In many cartoon designs, penguins have either white eyes with irises or simple black dots. Since I had craft doll eyes, I chose the latter — but you can also use googly eyes if you like!
Step 4: Paint
The most fun part — painting!
I used a pencil to lightly sketch where my paint should go. You only need three colors: black, white, and orange (or dark yellow).
I used metallic black paint around the eyes. For the beak and feet, I mixed yellow with a little orange, and then added a thin black wash to create more dimension.
Finishing Touches
Since it’s a cartoon-style penguin, I added a little pinkish color to the cheeks using soft pastels. I also made a tiny beanie and scarf from an old sock that had a hole in it (perfect for recycling!).
Feel free to get creative with your penguin! You can add a bow tie, earmuffs, or even a top hat to give it more personality. If you are doing this with kids encourage them to come up with their own ideas — each penguin can be unique!
Step 5: Display and Enjoy
There you have it — your very own cartoon-style baby penguin made from newspaper and egg carton! 🐧
This adorable craft not only makes a delightful winter decoration but also shows how easy it is to repurpose simple materials into something wonderful. Get ready to impress your friends and family with your creativity and eco-friendly mindset!
Materials
Newspaper, egg cartons, black, white and orange paint, paintbrushes, craft doll eyes or half-pearls/googly eyes, cardboard, wiping paper or similar, hot glue, school or wood glue, and scissors.
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