This paper project once completed will result in a free standing three dimensional manger.
This manger will be 4.5" in lenth, 2.5" in width and 2.8" tall.

This paper craft project is intended for children of all ages.
Kids under the age of 8 will require some help in the construction of the manger.
Please read all the instructions carefully before starting this project.

INSTRUCTIONS

Things you need:

sheets of paper 8 1/2" by 11" (card stock preferred but optional)
a printer
a pair of scissors
felt markers or crayons, assorted colors
a white straw
scotch tape (optional)
glue (glue stick)
and a smile

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Before attempting to print, make sure that you have set all the margins to zero using the print page option of your browser.

2. Print each of the following pages:

Page 1: The Manger
Page 2: Character Set 1
Page 3: Character Set 2 (Animals)
Page 4: Character Set 3 (optional Palm Tree 1)
Page 5: Character Set 4 (optional Palm Tree 2)

3. Color the exterior of the manger. Use your imagination.
4. Color the different figures.
5.Cut out carefully each character.
6. Cut out carefully the manger. Cut out VERY CAREFULLY the zones on the manger with the phrase "REMOVE". (For example, the window should be cut out.) Do not cut the bottom wood beams on the manger. These are there for ensuring a solid structural frame for the manger.
7. Color the interior of the manger. Use your imagination. Don't be afraid. For the interior, you may draw in piles of straw, wooden beams, some small animals (bird, mice, etc.), blankets, etc.
8. Fold the tabs and manger along folding line.
9. Paste manger together making sure that all walls are perfectly aligned.
10. Fold tabs of characters and trees.
11. Paste the donkey and bull on the interior back wall of the manger.
12. Paste the angel in the center of the front top beam of the manger.
13. Paste the star on top of the straw. Paste the straw in the middle of the back exterior of the manger.
14. Optional: The palm trees: Color them and then cut them out carefully. Paste together the front and back of each tree. Paste palm tree #1 on the left corner of the back exterior wall of the manger. Paste palm tree #2 on the right corner of the back exterior wall of the manger.
15. Take a sheet of cardboard or paper and decide where on it you will place the manger. Then draw a road to the manger, sand, rocks and some bushes on the sheet.
16. Place mager on cardboard sheet. You can use a couple pieces of scotch tape to anchor the manger in place.
17. Place the characters (Mary, Joseph and Jesus) inside the manger. Place the other characters on the outside of the manger.
18. The manger is finished and all you have to do is put it in your room.

*Note: This should actually be called a stable, but since I am not the author of the instuctions, so be it.

BACK to Santa's Workshop