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DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Really Big Mardi Gras Dice

Thanks to Stacey for this great idea!

These dice might not roll with perfect randomness, but they sure are fun to play with!

I put the pen beside the die in the photo so you could get a feel for the size of them.

Materials

bullet2 litre cardboard milk carton (I have no idea what size that is in the States... it's the "common" size here)
bulletscissors
bulletruler
bullettape (masking or scotch
bulletglue
bulletprinter
bulletpaper
bulletsomething to color with (optional)
bulletclear contact paper (optional)
  

Instructions:

bulletcut the top off a 2 litre milk carton
  
bulletthis is most likely an adult's job
  
bulletuse a ruler to measure the width of the carton (it's just shy of 4 inches)
  
bulletmeasure the same height and make a small mark with a pen or marker.

bulletcut down the sides of the carton and fold each one over (it looks like the one side in the photo is missing, but it isn't!!  it's just folded over... don't cut them right off!)
  
bulletTape firmly so you now have a box with all equal sides
  
bulletNothing in kid's crafts is perfect!  If the sides are a little different, it isn't the end of the world.

cut down sides
bulletYou have a choice of a green template, a purple template and a B&W template.
  
bulletprint template of choice and cut out the template pieces.  
bulletyou can make two dice (one green and one purple) or
bulletyou can mix and match the colors so you end up with one die that's green and purple
  
bulletThis is an easy craft to make without the templates.  Just trace around your milk carton onto a piece of construction paper and cut out.  Use stickers for the "dots".
  
bulletCover a side of the milk carton with glue.  Spread the glue around all over (use your finger or a paint brush)

bulletPut one of the template pieces onto the glue covered side.
  
bulletPress it down firmly and around all the edges so it's firmly attached.
  
bulletOPTIONAL:  You can cut a piece of clear contact paper the same dimensions and stick it over top to "waterproof" your dice a little bit.
  
bulletContinue until you've put all the template pieces on.  
  

bulletIMPORTANT:  You'll notice that if you add up the dots on the templates, they always add to 7.  
bulletMake sure that you put the template pieces that add to 7 on opposite sides of the dice (that's how real dice are)
bulletthis is a good exercise for early grade school children to work at!

 

Templates:

bulletClose the template window after printing to return to this screen. 
    
bulletSet page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers). 

Purple Dice    (1 and 6)   (2 and 5)   (3 and 4)

Green Dice    (1 and 6)   (2 and 5)   (3 and 4)

B&W  Dice     (1 and 6)   (2 and 5)   (3 and 4)

 

     

Printable version of these instructions.