Step 1
Print the background and the left and right side panels and have kids color in the scenes with pencils or crayons.
Step 2
Cover the work area with newspapers or a drop cloth. Have kids drizzle the glue all over the three panel templates and use the small paintbrush to spread the glue into a thin, even layer. Kids can then sprinkle white glitter all over the scenes. Let the panels dry for about 30 minutes, and then shake off the excess glitter. Trim the background and side panels to fit inside the shoe box and glue them in place.
Step 3
To create a base for the diorama, place the box's lid upside down on the table and fit the box (on its side) inside and toward the back of the lid. To make the snowy yard, cut a piece of polyester fill to fit the lid. (You don't need to glue the fill in place.)
Step 4
To make the snowman, snip a 3/4-inch-long piece of pipe cleaner. Press one end into the 2-inch polystyrene ball and then push the 1-inch ball onto the exposed end of the pipe cleaner. (Note: Snipped pipe cleaners can be a little bit sharp, so parents may want to do these steps.) Snip short pieces of pipe cleaners for the snowman's eyes, buttons, arms, and nose. To make the snowman's hat, tightly coil a black pipe cleaner around your index and middle fingers. Pinch it together slightly so it holds its shape. Glue the coil on and let dry for about 30 minutes. You can glue a small circle of posterboard to the bottom of the snowman to help him stand.
Step 5
For the trees, have kids drip glue around the circumference of the polystyrene cones and sprinkle on the colored glitter. (Cut the base of one cone first if you want the trees to be at different heights.) If you like, glue a bead to the top of each cone as a tree topper. Let the glue dry (from ten minutes to two hours, depending on how much glue was used) and shake off the excess glitter.
Step 6
Print Dora and friends in color or in black and white and have kids cut them out. (Parents may want to help with the cutting.) Fold the bottom tab back to make the figures stand up. You can glue a small square of cardboard or posterboard to the bottom tab to help them stand.
