Paper Chariot Crafts

Chariots are two-wheeled horse-drawn carts that were used in ancient times and are especially associated with life in ancient Rome and ancient Greece. Chariots are also referenced in several Bible stories. Crafting a paper chariot with children or students is a way to reinforce lessons on ancient Rome, ancient Greece or Bible lessons.

Using a reproducible template is one way of making a chariot out of paper. The basic shapes needed to make a chariot are the chariot floor, the chariot side panel, two wheels and a hitch. Each piece can be coloured using crayons, coloured pencils or markers. Children will need scissors to cut out the different shapes and glue to attach the pieces together.

A small paper milk carton, such as one would find in a school cafeteria, can be recycled to make a chariot craft. The top of the carton should be cut off and the sides cut at an angle to look like the side panels of a chariot. Use paper or other recycled items to form the other parts of the chariot such as the wheels, the hitch and the horse. Children can use paint or paper to decorate the milk carton chariot.

A chariot can be made using small paper plates, construction paper and pipe cleaners. Children should first colour the paper plates using crayons or markers. Have children cut the plates in half then glue together along the edges with the coloured sides facing out and leaving the straight edge unglued. Cut out two circles from construction paper and glue these to the curved bottom of the chariot to serve as wheels. A charioteer can be made by twisting the pipe cleaners into the shape of a person and placed into the open top of the chariot.

Allow children to express their own creativity by having them create their own chariots. First show the children pictures of what ancient chariots looked like. Then allow them to use crayons, coloured pencils or markers to draw their own chariots. If you like, allow children to cut out their chariot images to decorate a classroom or notice board.