Name: Layers of the Rainforest Diorama
SKU: 92509L
Price: 191.84 AUD

Step 1Take 2 shadow boxes and while flat, decorate the back panels to create a rainforest using watercolour paints. Remember there will be 2 layers of the rainforest in each box, so you will need to show the forest floor and understory in one, and then the canopy and emergent layer in the other. You will also need to ensure your background design lines up across the 2 boxes. This will create a great background for your diorama. Allow to dry.
Step 2Start with the lower box that will contain the forest floor and understory. Fold along all the score lines of the box. Half assemble your box, so the back wall is standing up with the front still down. This means you can start placing items inside your box. Use glue to secure the tabs to the outside of the box. Start building pieces of your rainforest using collage materials. We have created a young sapling tree from cover paper for the understory, then added in some imitation moss rocks and chenille stem vines. Use glue to secure any pieces you have added. Allow to dry.
Step 3To create a tall emergent tree for your diorama, tape together 3 cardboard rolls. Tear strips of cover paper to create bark and glue them onto the rolls using a glue stick. Wrap some chenille stems around the tree to create vines. Cut small slits around the bottom roll and fan them out to create the roots of the tree. Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors.
Step 4The emergent tree has to go through the top flap of the bottom box. Use a pencil to trace around a cardboard roll where it will sit. Use scissors to carefully cut out the circle.
Step 5Take the emergent tree and push the top through the hole you have created, widening the hole if needed. Assemble the rest of the shadow box so the scene is inside, and the emergent tree is sticking out the top. Use glue to secure the tabs of the box in place.
Step 6The emergent tree also has to go through the bottom of the 2nd shadow box. Use a pencil to trace around a cardboard roll on the bottom flap of the box where it will sit. Use scissors to carefully cut the circle out.
Step 7Push the emergent tree through the hole you have created. Fold along all the score lines of the box. Again, half assemble your box, so the back wall is standing up with the front still down.
Step 8Add another cardboard roll to the top of the emergent tree and decorate using torn cover paper. Push some light green tissue paper into the top of the cardboard roll to create the foliage of the tree.
Step 9Assemble the rest of the top shadow box and then create the canopy using cover paper. Cut some treetops from green paper and tree trunks from brown paper. Layer and glue them in place towards the front of the shadow box as shown.
Step 10Cut animal shapes from cover paper and position them in their correct rainforest layers within the diorama. Add any extra details such as vines or other forest details.
Step 11Finish your diorama by creating and attaching a title and labels for each of the layers. Your Layers of the Rainforest Diorama is now ready to display!