Intro: Stabile Paper Sculpture

Inspired by artist Alexander Calder, these easy-to-make sculptural pieces provide endless play and creativity for the young art-chitects.

STEP 1: Gather Your Supplies

STEP 2: Cut Shapes

Cut free-form shapes of varying sizes from colored card stock or scrapbook paper. If a ruler is used, a safe measurement is 3 to 5 inches wide and 3 to 8 inches long.

STEP 3: Cut Slits Into Shapes

Snip two to four 1-inch slits into the sides of each shape.

STEP 4: Assemble and Explore

By interlocking the pieces along the slits, begin to assemble the shapes and build a sculpture. Explore the different sizes of pieces and how weight is distributed. The goal is to have the sculpture be free standing.

STEP 5: You're Finished!

Once the shapes are in place, and the sculpture is freestanding on its own, you're finished! If there are extra shapes, see if another sculpture can be made or add pieces to your current one and make sure to check out work by artist Alexander Calder.