DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Tortoise or Turtle Craft

Contributed by Leanne Guenther

Dear DLTK's what's the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?  
Thanks,
Amy from North Carolina

Dear Amy,
That's a great question!  Turtles and tortoises are both reptiles and are both members of the order Testudines.  

In the United States, any Testudines that live in salt water or fresh water (part time or full time) are known as turtles.  Testudines that live ONLY on land are called tortoises.

There's actually a third group of Testudines called terrapins ... these are basically turtles that live in swampy water.

Sad Facts:  Whether aquatic or land dwellers, almost half of the world's testudines are at risk because of habitat degradation, hunting, and environmental pollution.

Materials:

• a plastic container or an egg carton cup,
• glue,
• scissors,
• green construction paper, used wrapping paper, tissue paper or napkins.

Instructions:

You can use this craft with different sized containers to make different size tortoises.  When we did it, I made the "mommy" tortoise with a single serving yogurt container and the girls made "children" tortoises with egg carton cups.

• Cut or tear the construction paper, tissue paper or napkins into 1/2 inch (ish) pieces.
• Turn your container upside down and spread glue over it.  For this project, you can actually dilute your glue up to 1/2 and 1/2 with water (I know, I'm disgustingly frugal *blush*)
• Put the torn pieces of paper onto the container, overlapping them.  You can use different colors of green or even light brown for a mottled effect.
• If needed, coat the outside with a bit of glue once you have all the pieces on (you won't need to do this if you've used tissue paper, but you may need to if you've used construction or wrapping paper).
• Let dry.
• While it's drying, prepare your head and legs (U shapes) and tail (V shape). (see image below).  You can use white paper and color or use green construction paper.

• I didn't do a template for these because they're pretty easy to make on your own and the size you need will vary depending on the container you use.  Older children may want to experiment a bit with the head (I made mine different on the big tortoise in the photo).
• Fold a little tab on each (head, legs, tail) and glue or tape to the inside of the container so they stick out.
• Fold the head up and glue to the outside of the container (so the head isn't laying flat on the ground like the tail and legs.. unless you decide your turtle is sleeping after a long race *grin*).