Pokémon arts and crafts projects DIY guide: Make your own at home

Do you want to prove that you are the greatest ever? Why not get creative and put together some of these pleasant Pokémon arts and crafts projects? Like most artistic endeavors, the journey is more important than the destination, so for each project I’ve put together easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and downloadable templates to print, cut out, fold together, and turn into recognizable critters.

Egg Carton Metapod

Metapod is a Pokémon well known for getting progressively harder throughout a battle, so you may be pleasantly surprised to find out this extravagant egg carton With each step, the Metapod Project becomes easier to put together.

Supply recommendationsA printer, an egg carton, green paint and tissue paper.

Step 1 Following the instructions below, carefully remove parts of an egg carton. To help you see where to cut, each piece was given a different colored label. I used a craft knife to slowly cut through the material, poking many holes in it.

When you’re done, you should have five pieces that look like this:

Step 2Use green paint to paint each piece of the egg carton. I used an acrylic paint. However, since the egg carton’s material is very porous and rough it should be able to take most paints.

Step 3The template can be downloaded and printed. You will need to cut out parts of the Metapod craft following the black outline. Two versions are available: one has a full-color texture and the other just contains the line art. You can either print the parts onto colored paper or use markers and paints to color them yourself.

Step 4 The Metapod’s core should be folded along the line drawn below.

Step 5 Glue down the tabs marked “A” and “B” to the corresponding spaces and then glue town tabs “C” and “D” as shown.

Step 6The cones can be attached to the core of the papercraft by slipping them on the ends. You can also fill the carton cones with a mix of PVA glue, tissue paper, if they are too big. If the cones are too small, don’t be afraid to really squash this paper core into them. These imperfections can only enhance the final result.

Step 7 Use hot glue, tissue or PVA to attach the Metapod’s corners to the egg carton.

Step 8You can cover up any remaining holes in the center with the last egg carton piece and then attach the eyes using the printable template.

Paper Accordion Furret

Are you lacking the patience or materials to make your Metapod? In the mood for something a little speedier where you don’t have to wait for paint to dry? You can make your own flexible and stretchy fabric with your fingers. Furret with a paper accordion

Supply recommendationsPrinter, glue, scissors and brown or cream card stock

Step 1Print the template, then cut the Furret crafts along the black outline. You can choose from two different versions of this template. One has fully colored textures and one only contains the line art. This allows you to print out the parts on colored cards, or use markers, paints, and other methods. You can also download optional back printing files for the textured template. This allows you to print the page and then put it back in the printer. The following steps apply to both versions of the template whether you’re printed double-sided or not.

Step 2 Glue the tabs marked “A” and “B” together to create two long strips of paper. Now glue those strips together at a right angle using the tab marked “C,” as shown. Most available glues will work just fine for this craft project, but the springy nature of a paper accordion means you’ll have better results with a stronger adhesive. Standard PVA glue was applied thinly using an old paintbrush.

Step 3You can fold long strips of paper in half along the lines.

Step 4Place the glue on the flat side of the legs. The legs will become more stiffened by this. Now glue the leg marked “D” to the tab also marked “D.” Repeat this with the legs marked “E,” “F,” and “G,” as shown. If you’re finding it a little too fiddly to glue the legs inside of the accordion, you can carefully unfold the long strips and glue the legs onto the strips while they’re flat instead.

Step 5 Glue the face of the Furret to the front of the paper accordion using the tab marked “H” to complete this project.

The great thing about a paper accordion is when you’re not stretching them out, you can condense them down to a relatively flat shape. One can go with your greeting card or you can keep it in your purse.

Paper Chain Gyarados

If that previous project wasn’t quite gargantuan enough to fill that Pokémon craft-shaped hole in your heart, then prepare to get sticky and glue together your very own Gyarados using a simple paper chain.

Supply recommendationsYou will need a printer, glue and scissors.

Step 1Print both the pages and trace the Gyarados’ parts along the black lines. The template is available in two formats. One version has full-color textures while the other only shows the line art. You can either print the parts on colored cards or colour them yourself using markers, paints and/or pencils. You can also download optional back printing files for the textured template. This allows you to print the page and then put it back in the printer. The following steps apply to both versions of the template whether you’re printed double-sided or not.

Step 2 Follow the key to fold Gyarados’ parts, following the lines with dotted lines. The dotted lines on the second page should not be folded, as they’re used to show where to line up the paper loops.

Step 3 Glue the tabs marked “A” and “B” to the inside of the top of the head as shown.

Step 4 Fold around and then glue down the tab marked “C” to make a loop as shown. Glue the tabs marked “D” and “E” to the back of the fins found on the sides of the Gyarados head piece.

Step 5 Place the strip marked “F” through the loop on the head, curve it around, and glue down the tab marked “F” as shown. These strips have dotted lines that will help align the ends of each loop for a uniform look. Repeat this step with the strips marked “G,” “H,” “I,” “J,” and “K” in order. If you’re building this project on a thicker card stock, you can pull the paper strips over the edge of a table to help them curve without creasing, cracking, or breaking. To curve the strips, gently run your fingers through them. You must be cautious not to cut the paper.

Step 6The tail fin should be folded over. To complete the project, attach the back fin sections as follows to the first and fourth loops. Your Gyarados can be tied with string, or you could add paper loops for hanging it from the ceiling.

Paper ball Jigglypuff

If you’re scrolling through this article and thinking to yourself, I don’t have the ability to make any of these projects; everything I make ends up looking like a crumpled-up mess,Then this project might be right for you. You can make your joyful Jigglypuff with a paper ball.

Supply recommendations A printer, pink tissue or crêpe paper, two toothpicks, glue, and a pair of scissors

Step 1Make your paper balls. I would recommend using some pink tissue or crêpe paper. There are many different types of scrunched up paper balls. Sometimes you’ll end up with a long sausage shape, or a really flat and uninteresting outcome. I’ve found twisting my hands in the opposite direction of one another gives the best results with the most uniformly round shape.

Step 2The template can be downloaded and printed. You will need to cut out parts of the Jigglypuff using the solid black outline. Two versions of this template are available. Both have fully colored textures. While the first has the line art, the second is blank. You can either print them onto colored card stock or colour the parts with markers, paints and other media. The template has the pieces needed in two different sizes, so depending on the size of the paper ball you make, you’ll want to cut out and add at a different scale.

Step 3Fold the ears over and glue them together. Attach the earpieces to your toothpicks by glueing or applying clear tape.

Step 4 As shown, glue the eyes, feet, and hair to the paper ball.

Step 5 To attach the ears to the paper, push the toothpicks in the ball of paper. Be careful not to poke your fingers. And that’s it! You’re all set.

If a crumpled-up mess covered in tape, glue, and toothpicks doesn’t get you in the mood to get stuck in and build some crafty Pokémon this summer, I’m not sure what will. Perhaps you’re reading through these tutorials and thinking to yourself, You could do better! If so, carry that energy with you and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t forget to clean up the mess at the end of any craft project. Enjoy your crafting endeavors!