Make an Animal Silhouette Growth Chart

Chart your child's growth with a cute, colorful and crafty wall hanging.
Kids' Room With Colorful, Handmade Growth Chart

Kids' Room With Growth Chart

Chart your child's growth with this cute, colorful and crafty wall hanging. A small wooden bookshelf keeps reading materials organized at a reachable height for children, making them easy for little ones to access.

Materials Needed:

  • online animal silhouettes
  • inkjet or laser printer
  • computer
  • graph paper
  • pencil
  • measuring tape
  • drywall square
  • 8' x 4' sheet of 1/4" sanded plywood
  • 1/2" drill bit
  • jigsaw
  • orbital sander
  • 120-grit paper
  • paint
  • pre-positioned animal silhouette template
  • Velcro or mounting squares

Download Template

Download animal silhouette template and print.

Make Silhouettes to Scale

Lay out and scale each animal using basic document-editing software to fit onto a single sheet of paper. Print with inkjet or laser printer. Note: Each animal should be on its own full sheet of paper.

Draw Silhouettes to Scale

Draw Silhouettes to Scale

Step 2: Make Silhouettes to Scale Lay out and scale each animal using basic document editing software to fit onto a single sheet of paper. Print with ink jet or laser printer. NOTE: Each animal should be on its own full sheet of paper.

Transfer to Graph Paper

Lay each animal silhouette print under a sheet of graph paper and carefully trace with a pencil. The image should span about 35-40 lines vertically on the graph paper and about 14-18 lines from side to side. This will translate into a 70-80" tall by 28-36" wide image on the plywood.

Transfer Silhouette to Graph Paper

Transfer Animal Silhouette Print to Graph Paper

Step 3: Transfer to Graph Paper Lay each animal silhouette print under a sheet of graph paper and carefully trace with a pencil. The image should span about 35-40 lines vertically on the graph paper and about 14-18 lines from side to side. This will translate into a 70-80" tall by 28-36" wide image on the plywood.

Set Up Plywood

Use a drywall square to make a 2-inch grid on a full piece of 1/4-inch sanded plywood, lightly marking vertical and horizontal lines with a pencil.

Measuring Grid on Plywood

Measuring and Making Grid on Plywood

Step 4: Set Up Plywood Use a drywall square to make a 2-inch grid on a full piece of 1/4-inch sanded plywood, lightly marking vertical and horizontal lines with a pencil.

Place Animals Onto Plywood

Referring to the drawing made on the graph paper, start at the bottom edge of the plywood graph, then draw the image by copying the angle and curvature of the pencil line in each box. Tip: To create proper sizing and evenness of lines, make sure that the lines drawn intersect with the grid lines at the same point and angle on the plywood as the paper.

Transfer Animal Silhouettes to Plywood

Transfer Animal Silhouettes to Plywood

Step 5: Place Animals onto Plywood Referring to the drawing made on the graph paper, start at the bottom edge of the plywood graph, then draw the image by copying the angle and curvature of the pencil line in each box. Tip: To create proper sizing and evenness of lines, make sure that the lines drawn intersect with the grid lines at the same point and angle on the plywood as the paper.

Drill Holes Around Image

After the entire image is drawn onto the plywood and it matches the image on the graph paper, use a 1/2-inch drill bit to make a hole in each section that is secluded from the outside edges of the plywood. Note: Be sure not to drill too closely to the drawing, and not to mistakenly drill through the part of the image you want to keep.

Drilling Holes for Growth Chart

Drilling Holes for Animal Growth Chart

Step 6: Drill Holes Around the Image After the entire image is drawn onto the plywood and it matches the image on the graph paper, use a 1/2-inch drill bit to make a hole in each section that is secluded from the outside edges of the plywood. Note: Be sure not to drill too closely to the drawing, and not to mistakenly drill through the part of the image you want to keep.

Cut the Silhouette

Using a jigsaw, carefully cut along the outside lines of the silhouette, starting at the bottom then working your way up each side to the top of the image. Use the holes drilled inside the sections to cut out the remaining parts of the plywood, leaving you with a wooden cutout of your printed silhouettes.

Sand Edges

Use an orbital sander with 120-grit paper to sand the edges and surface of the plywood cutout.

Sanding Plywood Cutout

Sanding Plywood Cutout of Growth Chart

Step 8: Sand Edges Use an orbital sander with 120 grit paper to sand the edges and surface of the plywood cutout.

Paint and Hang

Using a paintbrush, paint the cutout to desired color scheme. Allow at least 4 hours for paint to cure before hanging on wall with Velcro or mounting squares.

Painting Growth Chart

Painting Animal Silhouette Growth Chart

Step 9: Paint and Hang Using a paint brush, paint the cutout of your animal silhouette growth chart to desired color scheme. Allow at least 4 hours for paint to cure before hanging on wall with Velcro or mounting squares.

Next Up

Easy DIY Craft: Paper Dahlias

Create an oversized paper version of this stunning late-summer flower using materials you likely already have on hand: scrapbook paper, cardboard circles, scissors and double-sided tape.

Make Your Own Monogrammed String Art

String art used to be straight out of the '70s, but there's a new graphic version that's back in a big way. Learn how to make your own modern monogrammed string art in just a few easy steps.

Step-by-Step: Custom Artwork

Create custom artwork with this how-to from HGTV Magazine and DIY blogger Typhanie Peterson

Step-by-Step: Frosted Polka-Dot Vases

Create frosted vases with this how-to from HGTV Magazine and DIY blogger Typhanie Peterson.

How to Make Crepe Paper Flowers

Crepe paper is easy to work with and creates realistic flowers that are perfect for gift toppers or placed in a vase during spring. Make three different types — peonies, daisies and tulips.

How to Create a French Knot Design on a Pillow

Wake up a plain white pillow by stitching on French knots. The editors at HGTV Magazine make it easy with this step-by-step DIY.

How to Make Clay Trays

Make these easy trays to help organize jewelry and other household items.

How to Make a Family Terrarium

Terrariums are one of the easiest ways to keep plants alive in your home. Make one with a tiny family inside using miniature train display figures.

How to Make a Vintage Suitcase Pet Bed

Give your four-footed friend a custom, one-of-a-kind pet bed by repurposing a vintage suitcase in just a few simple steps.

How to Make Custom Dog Clothing

Learn how to make simple and stylish custom pet clothing for all sizes.

What's New in Handmade

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.