Tiddalik, a very thirsty and greedy frog, is part of a well-known Australian Creation Story. Michelle Napanangka Earl has created this character to help you learn about one of her favourite Dreamtime stories ‘Tiddalik the Frog’.
Michelle Napanangka Earl is an Artist & Basket Weaver. As a proud Darkinjung woman with Wonnarua ties, Michelle has a personal connection to the Hunter Valley and respectfully teaches and celebrates the Traditional Aboriginal Culture of the Communities that reside across the valley.

CleverPatch™ recommends educators, teachers and event organisers work in consultation with their local Aboriginal Communities (start locally and extend out geographically) when planning activities & learning experiences. Any creative or art making activity that mirrors or replicates Aboriginal cultural experiences should always be undertaken in consultation with the appropriate owners of that cultural property.

Some materials and products may contain terms that reflect authors' views, both current or past. These views may not be considered appropriate today and are provided in a historical context. These views are not necessarily the views of CleverPatch.

Step 1Download and print the template provided before cutting out the template shapes. Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors. Trace the shapes onto coloured foam – we have chosen to use light green. Cut out your foam shapes.
Step 2Glue a wiggle eye onto both round eye foam shapes. Allow to dry.
Step 3Cut a green chenille stem in half to make two leg pieces. Cut another green chenille stem in half, then one of those halves in half again to create two shorter arm pieces. The remaining extra chenille stem piece can be used for another craft activity.
Step 4Using a toothpick, poke a hole in the centre of each hand foam shape. Thread one end of a chenille stem piece through the centre of a sequin, then through the hole in a foam hand. Bend the end of the chenille stem so that it won’t pull back through. Repeat with the remaining three chenille stem pieces and foam hand shapes.
Step 5Push a toothpick into the centre of a decofoam half circle as shown. Push a decofoam ball onto the toothpick so it sits on top of the half circle.
Step 6Paint your decofoam pieces with green paint. You may need 2-3 coats for a good coverage. Allow to dry after each coat.
Step 7Using a toothpick, make one hole near the bottom of the decofoam half circle towards the front for a leg and one hole higher up for an arm. You can use our completed image as a guide. Repeat on the opposite side making sure they are mostly even. Place a small amount of PVA glue on the open end of one of your chenille stem legs (these are the longer pieces). Gently push the end into one of the bottom holes on your decofoam. Repeat this step for the other leg and with the arms (these are the shorter pieces) in the holes above. Allow to dry before bending your chenille stems to look like arms and legs of a frog.
Step 8Bend another colour of chenille stem (we have chosen red) around Tiddalik’s neck and tie into a bow shape to make a bow tie. Glue the foam mouth and eye pieces in place onto the decofoam ball to create Tiddalik’s face.
Step 9Your Tiddalik the Frog is now ready to display!