DIY Cardboard Human Body Educational Activity

My son has such a love for science! He is constantly asking questions (about everything) and I love that Safari Ltd. products can help me teach him through play! Recently, we created a cardboard human body craft to go with our Human Organs TOOB. It was so much fun to introduce him to new words, like “nerves”, “intestines” and “spinal cord” as we created and played with the TOOB toys together! Read below to learn how to make your own. 

Materials Needed: 

• Human Organs TOOB
• A Human Body Template
• Thin cardboard (like from a cereal box)
• Scissors
• Black paint or paint stick
• White, red and blue yarn or string
• Cotton swabs
• Paper towel (one piece)
• Brown paint or paint stick
• Tube shaped pasta noodles (uncooked)
• Googly eyes
• Tacky glue or hot glue gun (*always have an adult with you when you use hot glue!

Steps: 

1. Print the Human Body template and cut it out. Trace the template onto your thin cardboard and cut out the shape. Paint your shape black using the paint or paint stick (this will help the details you glue one stand out!).

2. On the right arm of your body, glue red and blue yarn/string to represent arteries and veins - your blood vessels.

3. On the left arm of your body, glue white yarn/string to represent the nerves from your nervous system. 

4. Create muscles by painting a small piece of paper towel brown with a bit of paint or a paint stick. The paper towel has an interesting texture when painted! Once dry, cut the paper towel into thin pieces and glue it onto the right leg of your body. 

5. Cut a few cotton swabs in half and glue them onto the right leg and foot of your body to represent bones.
6. Glue a few of your tube-shaped noodles vertically down the middle of your body, starting at the top of the neck. These tubes will represent the bones of the spinal cord, which protect the nerves connecting your brain and your body. 

7. If you want, add some googly eyes!

You can use your Human Organs TOOB and your new cardboard body to learn about the different body systems and how they work together! Lay your organ figures onto the body and talk about how they work with and connect to your blood vessels, nerves, muscles and more! The parts of our body are so interconnected - it’s amazing! You can also do some research online (with a grown up) or look for a book about the human body at the library to learn more!

Emily Limer is a science educator and mom blogger! Follow along with her on Instagram @makingwithmommy

Share with us your favorite educational activities below!