Easy Kid Penguin Costumes

 

A few days ago, Eva's entire 2nd grade class decided to dress like Penguins for Marine Life Spirit Week.  She and her BFF wanted to wear matching costumes so I hit the internet to find T-shirts with a cute penguin theme. There was not much to choose from and the prints were really uninteresting. I decided I would talk to some of the other parent's in car-line the following day about their plans.

Then, as I walked past my art room with a laundry basket in hand, I noticed some white felt, orange foam and red ribbon crowding my messy work table.  Within seconds, the costumes put themselves together; almost without any effort from me. Within 15 minutes and completely on a whim, these penguin tees were designed and assembled.

I cut the tummy and eyes from a large sheet of firm felt.

The beak was made from layered foam sheets and I put a piece of red ribbon in between for the tongue.

The eye lashes were cut from a black foam insulation noodle. I cut a chunk, then cut about 3/4 of the depth with shredding scissors to make lashes.  

When I curved the uncut base, the lashes fanned out so they were more defined (and girlie).  I used a punch to cut cardstock pupils.

 

All of these elements were glue-gunned onto black t-shirts that I picked up at Michael's for $2.50 each. The final touch was adding red wired ribbon on the lower left shoulder so everyone would know there were lady penguins in the house.