If you are looking for a fun and concentrated project for kids in the older set, this 3-D textured globe is the perfect craft. While this project is geared mostly at kids 9 and up, it can be simplified for younger children as well.

Take some time to visit our Earth Day homepage which features other fun Earth Day crafts, recipes and fun printables.

What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Place egg carton upside down and use to balance your globe on while you paint. Paint the entire paper mache globe with light blue paint and let dry. Repeat for a second coat.
2. Use a map of the Earth as a guide, then lightly pencil the continents onto the globe.
3. Pour some sand onto a paper plate.
4. Fill each continent you just drew with dots of glue.
5. Gently roll the globe around in the sand until all continents are covered. Carefully tap off excess. Put globe onto egg carton to dry.
6. Once dry, give the globe one or two last taps to shake of any loose sand.
7. Paint the sanded continents green, except for Antarctica and the top of the globe, which should be painted white. Let dry completely.
8. Use a cotton swab to gently dab brown paint onto areas of the green where your map may indicate deserts or more barren lands. Let dry.
9. Put some white paint onto a paper plate. Unravel a bit of your cotton ball and drag it lightly over the top of the white paint. Dab off excess onto plate and use the cotton ball to add cloudy areas around the globe. Let dry.
10. Spray entire globe with acrylic sealer spray.
    

Tips:

• If you visit a beach sometime this summer, collect a sandwich bag full of sand and save it for projects such as these.
• Recycle old Christmas ornaments by using them instead of the paper mache ball.
• Look for eco-friendly products when considering your craft projects. Ask the manager at your local craft supply store if they can provide you with a list of green products.
• Adjust this craft for younger kids by allowing them to draw the continents however they like rather than sticking to the more challenging map design.

Related Crafts:
• Paper-Mache Globe
• My Planet Earth

Related Links:
• Earth Day 2010
• Earth Day Crafts
• Earth Day Recipes
• Earth Day Printables
• Earth Day at Home

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