DIY - Paper flamingo

Orsucci Marion
Aug 7
2 min read

Creative activity inspired by a french children's book: "Le flamant rose qui ne voulait pas être rose"

“Pink is for girls; it's a stupid color.”, thought the pink flamingo.

Anyway… what if, just for once, a pink flamingo didn’t want to be… pink?

This craft project for kids is inspired by the wonderful picture book Le flamant rose qui ne voulait pas être rose, by Christelle Saquet and Alice De Page, published by Circonflexe.

Through a tender and amusing story, this picture book explores difference and self-acceptance, and delicately challenges gender stereotypes, such as the idea that pink is for girls and blue is for boys.

We wanted to extend the reading experience with a simple, poetic craft activity. The children created their own pink flamingos… or almost! Minus preferred to let his imagination run wild by making a flamboyant flamingo in summer colors, with gorgeous shades of yellow and orange.

After all, who decided that a flamingo has to be pink?

Materials

6 sheets of tissue paper or crepe paper (ref)
Watercolour paper (ref)
Watercolour (ref)
Black and white Posca markers (ref)
Thin wire (ref; or cotton string)
Stems for crepe paper flowers (ref; thin metal wire)
Colored floral tape (ref; or masking tape, ref)
Glue gun (ref)
Pencil
Scissor
Ruler
Paintbrushes
Seashell (facultatif)

Step-by-step

1. Make the body

Cut out 6 squares of tissue paper of the same size (here, 23–24 cm) and stack them.
Fold them into an accordion and secure the center with a small piece of wire
Round off both ends of the tissue papers with scissors.
Then gently unfold the accordion fold and lift three layers on one side, then three on the other, to form a nice and round pom-pom.

2. Paint the Head

Draw and then paint the flamingo’s head and long neck on watercolor paper. Cut out the head, then paint the other side.
For kids, I suggest drawing the eyes with Posca markers—it’s easier.