This is not an animal you hear about every day, so let’s make this paper cup axolotl craft and learn more about this fascinating creature!

Every animal on this planet has its own special features that make it unique. For instance, each tiger‘s stripe pattern is unique, like a fingerprint. Or consider koalas, who actually have fingerprints, like humans!

Now what if I told you there was a creature that can regrow pretty much any body part? Not just arms and legs, but hearts, spines and even brains! What’s more, this creature can even accept organs donated by other members of the same species!

You’re probably thinking that such a creature cannot exist, but oh, it does, and it’s called an axolotl!

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What’s an axolotl?

Just like its name, this is quite a unique creature, an amphibian found in parts of Mexico. The name is derived from a combination of two words: Alt, which means water, and Xolotl, the Aztec god of fire and lightning.

It is believed that Xolotl would take on the form of a salamander when he needed to escape. Xolotl is often represented as a dog, and because of this, axolotls are also called “water dogs.” Now, that’s another unique name!

An axolotl never grows up, and is always in a developmental stage, which is why it can regrow any body part it likes at any time. There are many more fascinating things to learn about axolotls, and we can do it as we make this fun paper cup axolotl craft!

Paper Cup Axolotl Craft for Kids

Supplies required:

Colored craft paper
Paper cup
Pencil
A pair of scissors
Craft glue
Markers
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush

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How to make the Paper Cup Axolotl Craft:

1. Download and print the Paper Cup Axolotl Craft Template. The template includes parts of the axolotl, such as the head, eyes, gills and tail.

2. Trace the parts of the template on craft paper of the appropriate colors and cut them out. Now, axolotls can be black, brown or white. For this craft, we’ve chosen a peach color for the base and outer tail, and pink for the inner tail and gills. You can also use two different shades of pink.

3. Stick the eyes in the center of the axolotl’s head.

4. Use pink markers to draw lines on the gill cutouts.

5. Attach the gills to either side of the axolotl’s head, applying glue behind the axolotl’s head.

6. Take out your black marker to draw a mouth under the eyes. Use a pink marker to draw cheeks on either side of the mouth.

7. Stick the inner tail cutout inside the outer tail cutout. Put aside the axolotl’s head and tail for now.

8. Let’s prepare the base of our paper cup axolotl craft – the paper cup! Choose a paper cup with a clean outer surface.

9. Paint the cup any color you like, and let it dry completely. Alternatively, you can cover the cup in colored paper.

10. Apply some glue to the back of the axolotl’s head and stick it on the top of the painted paper cup, i.e, the cup’s bottom.

11. Glue the tail pattern on any side of the paper cup.

There you go – you’ve successfully made a paper cup axolotl craft!

Isn’t the axolotl an interesting creature? I’m sure you’re intrigued and want to find out more about it, and this craft should be a great starting point. Isn’t it amazing that there are so many fascinating creatures sharing our planet with us?

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