I’m showing you how to make a Trojan horse craft from cardboard which is a fun hands-on activity to go along with any ancient Greek unit. You’ll love my Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities.
When you are studying Ancient Greece real or myth, chances are good you’re going to be covering the Trojan horse at some point.
Is the Trojan Horse real or just a neat story?
No one knows for sure.
However, it is an important part of the poem about war. It was written by Greek poet Homer called the Odyssey.
Historians pretty much all agree it was just a myth but because the city of Troy did not survive in modern times. It is hard to know for sure if the Trojan horse existed.
In 1871 archaeologists discovered the ruins of a city. It had been destroyed by war near where Troy supposedly stood.
And the evidence lines up with the same period of time- 1180 BC.
But no pieces of a large wooden horse have ever been uncovered at the site.
What do you think? Was the Trojan Horse just in the imagination of Homer or did Greek soldiers use it to gain access to the impenetrable walls of Troy?
I can tell you one thing after your child builds this wonderful cardboard Trojan horse craft; they will remember the story.
Too, they’ll remember the lessons you taught for a long time.
Grab some boxes.
And let’s create a unique art and history project rolled into one.
Books About Ancient Greece
14 Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Learning About Ancient Greece
Add some of these living books to your reading library.
In this retelling of the Trojan War, Olivia Coolidge crafts heroes and gods into real, multidimensional characters, not just the figures of legend. Vibrant storytelling and finely wrought action have made her version of the classic tale of the Fall of Troy accessible to generations of young readers.
As the gods and goddesses of Olympus scheme, the ancient world is thrown into turmoil when Helen, the most beautiful woman in all of Greece, is stolen away by her Trojan love. Inflamed by jealousy, the Greek king seeks lethal vengeance and sends his black war ships to descend on the city of Troy.
King Odysseus and the Greeks have triumphed over the Trojans. At long last, they are able to set sail for home and the loving family Odysseus left behind. But for the heroic king, the return voyage holds hazards far greater than any he faced during the war. Forced by treacherous winds into unknown seas, Odysseus and his crew must face deadly perils: the flesh-eating Cyclops, Circe and her deadly enchantments, and the soul-chilling Land of the Dead and more.
Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus. There are a number of mini popups as well. Close the book and they fold away. Open it and they popup again. These vivid, colourful three dimensional scenes help to bring Ancient Civilisations to life in a way which no other kind of book can.
The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.
From the terror of Medusa and the Minotaur to the Labors of Heracles and journeys of Theseus, the stories in this collection have thrilled and enthralled people for centuries with their high drama, hazardous quests, and unforgettable characters (both mortal and immortal).
Tales of Troy and Greece by Andrew Lang. Andrew Lang draws on his classical learning to recount the Homeric legend of the wars between the Greeks and the Trojans. Paris, Helen of Troy, Achilles, Hector, Ulysses, the Amazons and the Wooden Horse all figure in this magical introduction to one of the greatest legends ever told. Also included in this book are the adventures of Theseus and his dramatic battle with the Minotaur with the help of Ariadne, and the quest of Jason for the Golden Fleece with the help of the Princess Medea.
n print for over fifty years, D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths has introduced generations to Greek mythology—and continues to enthrall young readers. Here are the greats of ancient Greece—gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters—as freshly described in words and pictures as if they were alive today. No other volume of Greek mythology has inspired as many young readers as this timeless classic. Both adults and children alike will find this book a treasure for years to come.
Brave Odysseus is far from home, tossed by stormy seas, and cursed by an angry one-eyed giant. If he ever wants to see his family again, he will have to face hungry cannibals, outwit a beautiful witch, and sail past a six-headed serpent. His journey is the ultimate test of endurance and courage. In this exciting series, best-selling author Mary Pope Osborne retells Homer's Odyssey, one of the most thrilling adventure stories of all time.
Long, long ago in ancient Greece, people began telling wonderful stories to explain the mysteries of life. These myths featured gods and goddesses, mighty beings who look human but have amazing powers and live forever. Now you can meet these extraordinary characters and hear their legends, brought to life again by Aliki in this splendid, panoramic look at the amazing stories and characters of Greek legend.
Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.
Travel back to a mythical time when Achilles, aided by the gods, waged war against the Trojans. And join Odysseus on his journey through murky waters, facing obstacles like the terrifying Scylla and whirring Charybdis, the beautiful enchantress Circe, and the land of the raging Cyclôpes. Using narrative threads from The Iliad and The Odyssey, Padraic Colum weaves a stunning adventure with all the drama and power that Homer intended.
Illus. in full color. "An ancient history lesson emerges from this account of the way the Greeks tricked the Trojans and rescued Helen of Troy. The book is well tailored to younger readers with careful explanations and short sentences; a pronunciation guide is appended. Drawings portray the story's main events. A nice supplement to units on ancient Greece or mythology."-
Embark on a literary odyssey through ancient Greece with Homer's timeless epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey. In The Iliad, witness the ravages of the Trojan War as gods and mortals clash in a tale of honor, heroism, and the consequences of unchecked pride. Then, journey alongside Odysseus in The Odyssey as he battles mythical creatures, evades vengeful gods, ad strives to return home, navigating treacherous seas and testing the limits of human resilience. These masterpieces of ancient literature capture the essence of the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, destiny, and the indomitable spirit of adventure.
The Story of The Trojan Horse
The story of The Trojan Horse is that after 10 years of fruitless attempts by the Greeks to reclaim King Menelaus’s beautiful wife, Helen the Greeks of Troy came up with a plan.
The Greek soldiers took the city of Troy by hiding in a giant horse.
It was left as an offering to the goddess Athena.
They rolled this giant horse right outside the gates. Then, it was wheeled into the city.
Once the city was asleep and at ease, the soldiers exited the horse and were able to finally triumph, opening the gates and letting the entire Greek army walk in.
Next, look at more Ancient Greece activities and resources.
Ancient Greece Activities
- Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities
- 9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities
- Hands-On Ancient Greece Study: Politics and Pottery
- Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study
- Ancient Greece Unit Study.Play Stomachion Like Archimedes {Explore Geometry}
- Hands-on Activity 2. Ancient Greece Chariot
- 13 Living History Books about Ancient Greece
- Make Pottery Like Ancient Greeks
- Free Greek Mythology Unit Study and Greece Lapbook & Fun Hands on LEGO Zeus
- Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
- Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
Finally, look how to make a Trojan horse craft.
How to Make a Trojan Horse Craft
You will need:
- Corrugated cardboard
- Straight edge blade
- Hot glue
- Brown paint
- A ruler
First, use a pencil to draw a basic boxy horse outline of whatever size you would like to build onto corrugated cardboard.
Once you are happy with your design, cut it using a straight edge blade.
You want to put another layer of cardboard beneath, so you don’t cut up your surface or use a self-healing that like this.
Use your first cut-out as a template to trace and cut out a second one for the other side.
Cut out several long strips.
Do more than you think, you will need about an inch or so wide, I use the width of my ruler.
We are going to use these to put between the two sides to create thickness for our structure.
Take your straight-edge razor and make little slits very close together through the top layer of cardboard paper into the corrugated part, but not through to the other side.
This creates a very flexible cardboard. It can be rolled around the corners and around the edges.
If you want to make rolling wheels, lay the two sides together make sure that they are symmetrical, and then poke a hole through both feet at the same time to place your wheels.
It’s easier to do it first than after it’s put together.
Use your hot glue gun to run a bead of hot glue around 3”-4” inches of the edge of one side of your Trojan horse, then press your cardboard strip into place, curving it around the shape, and hold it for a minute to allow it to set.
Continue doing this all the way around just a few inches at a time bending it so that it matches the shape.
It gets a little trickier on the other side and you’ll have to work faster run a bit of hot glue quickly around the side that is sticking up and quickly press your other piece into it.
Kid’s Trojan Horse Craft
If at the end you find that you have too many spots where the cardboard did not stick together well you can fill the gaps using hot glue.
Add a little bit at a time. Then, let it harden. Add more until it’s sufficiently filled.
Then you can take a scrap piece of cardboard to scrape away the excess before it’s completely cool.
While the glue is setting completely trace something round that’s proportionate to the size of your Trojan horse onto another piece of scrap cardboard and then cut them out times 4.
Place a toothpick, section of a skewer, or something else similar through the holes that you poked in the feet, and then attach the wheels to either side with hot glue.
Place them at a level where they can roll freely.
If your Trojan horse won’t roll just hot glue the circles to the side.
This ensures that they are of the same height so that it will stand and not tip over.
Cut two triangles for ears, and some small rectangles to create a blocky mane as well as a boxy tail shape.
Hot glue those into position on the structure.
Take a few minutes to pick off the excess hot glue strings around the cardboard.
Now give the horse a good couple coats of brown craft paint and allow it to dry completely.
Once dry use a black permanent marker to add a little bit of details like wood grain or lines to make it look like individual pieces of wood.
