How to make paper penguin skittles

Make this fun Christmas game with just some plain card and scraps of Christmas paper!

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Holly Spanner

Published: December 17, 2020 at 10:34 am

If you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained over the Christmas holidays, have a go at making our super-cute penguin skittle set!

We've made this set from black card before adding little accessories made from Christmas papers – the googly eyes are the perfect finishing touch. Children will love decorating the skittles themselves, too – why not give them one each and let them go to town with hats, scarves and lots of glitter glue?

If you don't have any scraps of Christmas paper, why not use scraps of wrapping paper? Or, how about downloading some of our free collection of patterned papers, there's sure to be something you like. We’re updating the page all the time with new free papercraft downloads, so be sure to bookmark it and check back regularly. We love these Christmas cardigan printables!

Don’t forget to share your cards on Facebook or post them on Instagram, we love to see what you make.

You will need:

  • Card (black, white and glitter)
  • Patterned paper
  • Kraft card
  • Googly eyes
  • Pom Poms

Step 1

Sketch and cut out a skittle shape from black card; the finished height needs to be around 20cm. Cut a second skittle shape, but this time trim off the top, as shown in the photo.

How to make penguin skittles – step 1

Step 2

Die-cut an oval from white glitter card and stick to the centre of the first skittle piece. If you don’t have an oval die, sketch out an oval shape onto card, cut it out and put it to one side to use as a template for the rest of the skittles. Cut a slot from the bottom edge up to the centre of the skittle, as shown.

How to make penguin skittles – step 2

Step 3

Take the second skittle piece and cut a slot from the top down to the centre. Slot the two pieces together to make it stand up. Cut another oval of glitter card, cut it in half and stick each side.

How to make penguin skittles – step 3

Step 4

Repeat so you have six penguin skittles in total, then cut out scraps of festive paper to give each one a hat and scarf. Add some personality by making each one different.

How to make penguin skittles – step 4

Step 5

Add googly eyes, a beak and feet cut from kraft card to each one to finish your set – then all you need is a ping pong ball (or a plastic bauble!) to start playing your skittles match!

How to make penguin skittles – step 5

How to make penguin skittles from card

Holly Spanner

Staff Writer, BBC Science Focus

Holly is the Staff Writer for BBC Science Focus and looks after the popular Q&A section. She holds an MSc (distinction) in Geoscience (Space and Climate Physics) from UCL, and specialises in astronomy and earth sciences. Before joining Our Media, she worked as a geoenvironmental consultant and engineer, informing on ground risk and remediation in the north of England, while hunting for exoplanets in her spare time. Alongside this, she was regional editor of a popular theatre website for nine years, and has a solid background in curating and developing content for the digital space. Holly is also an artist and illustrator, and regular contributor to the craft website, Gathered. She has previously worked with the RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot and Brother, as well as on BBC Good Food magazine, Home Style magazine, and Papercraft inspirations magazine. She enjoys photography and has a sustained interest in antiques.
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