Alligator Costume

Creativity expert Courtney Watkins shows how to turn old boxes into an alligator costume for a child. Children love to play "make believe," and Watkins shows how transforming a box into a costume encourages their creativity and imagination.

Boxy the Alligator

Materials:

2 filing boxes
scissors
string
pipe cleaners
fishing line
stapler
construction paper or fabric

Steps:

1. Place the two box lids on top of each other, with the open sides together. This will be the mouth.

2. Poke two holes on each lid. Each hole will be where there is a small slit on the lid.

Figure A

Run string through the holes so that the two lids are attached. Tie the string together tightly (figure A) so that the two sets of string act as the hinges or "jaw" of the alligator.

Fold the bottom of one box up so that the box consists of four sides, but an open top and bottom.

With scissors, poke four horizontal holes into the short side of the box. The holes will be in groups of two about halfway between the top and bottom.

	Figure B
	Figure C

Run a long pipe cleaner through the holes and twist to attach, then run it to the string on the "mouth" lids. Secure the lids to the box, again by twisting the pipe cleaners through the string (figure B).

Run fishing line through the two holes on the front of the "mouth," then through a drinking straw. Knot the fishing line inside the box. This will form the handle that can open and close the lids (figure C).

With the second file box, remove the sides, leaving the front and bottom of the box.

	Figure D
	Figure E

Cut a tail out of the long cardboard front and bottom, then use the handle slot to attach the "tail" to the back of the first box (figure D).

Construction paper and fabric are used to complete the colors of the alligator. Use round, decorated cardboard pieces as the eyes, and attach them with staples. You can see how the project takes shape (figure E).

* Note: For a neat, toothy mouth, cut away a strip of aluminum from a pie tin and cut in the triangular teeth. Look closely at the finished alligator in figure "E" for an example.

Resources
JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts
Make it spooky ... Make it creepy ... Make it fun! Visit "Booville" at the JoAnn Web site or at a JoAnn location near you for all your Halloween supplies.
Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts / Jo-Ann Etc.
Website: www.joann.com

Courtney's Creative Adventures
by Courtney Watkins
Little, Brown & Co., 2002
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Guests
Courtney Watkins
Creativity Expert
E-mail: Courtney@CourtneyWatkins.com
Website: www.courtneywatkins.com
Also in this Episode

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-457
•	Fingerpaint Your Face
•	Cleaning Houseplants
•	Alligator Costume
•	Smart Solutions of the Day