In Australia, we are encouraged to celebrate bilbies not bunnies for Easter. So I’ve made an Easter Bilby craft this year instead of an Easter Bunny.
What’s it all about? A Bilby is an Australian native animal that is sadly one of our most threatened species. The Save The Bilby Fund uses Easter to raise awareness and funds for bilby conservation. As they are threatened by the introduced species, Rabbits, Aussies are encouraged to celebrate the Easter Bilby instead of the Easter Bunny.
So that’s why I made this guy from a paper plate and some cardboard. If you’d like to make one, download the pattern here: LOTTA easter bilby pattern
THINGS YOU NEED
Paper plates, thin cardboard, black, white and pink paint, paint brush, paint tray, scissors, masking tape, glue, googly eye, coloured paper, circle punch (optional)
HOW TO MAKE
- Paint the paper plate and a sheet of cardboard grey. I added a little texture to mine to make him appear furry not flat.
- Paint a small piece of cardboard pink for the ears, nose and cheeks.
- Print out the template. Tape the pieces on top of the plate/cardboard and use the template to cut out all the pieces.
- To turn the basic bilby into an Easter Bilby, add some strips of coloured paper inspired by the patterns on Easter eggs. If you have a circle punch it’s an easy way to make patterns. Glue them onto your bilby pieces with a glue stick.
- Assemble all the pieces and glue them into position and hello Easter Bilby!
