Today we are creating a toucan habitat diorama. Also, look at my page Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon and Rainforest Activities for Kids or more ideas, crafts and activities.
Our diorama resembles the rainforest canopies of Central and South America where the toucan make their home.
High above the ground, where the covering is lush and thick, Toucans build their nests.
They build them in hollowed out tree cavities sleeping in groups of 5 or 6.
They very rarely fly down to the forest floor.
Also, they are prey for forest eagles, hawks, owls, boas, and jaguars.
We are creating a tropical rainforest paradise that is perfect for a bright toucan to hide out in.
It is complete with a unique waterfall just like you might find in the Lacandon Jungle, Mexico or Kaieteur Falls in the Amazon.
This is a pretty safe hot glue craft even for younger kids as they only have to squeeze the glue gun to create their piece and do not touch the glue until it’s completely cooled.
They may just need a little bit of help attaching the waterfall.
What better way to learn about this fascinating and beautiful bird than to study its habitat with a unique rainforest diorama.
5 Fun Facts About Toucans
- Toucans use their massive beaks to attract mates, intimidate predators, to reach food that would otherwise be out of reach, and to control their body temperature by regulating blood flow through it.
- Vocabulary alert- They are ‘monomorphic’ which means that there is no color difference in males and females, both are equally colorful.
- Toucans range in size from the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) that can be up to 24” down to the tawny-tufted toucanet (Selenidera nattereri) at just 12.5”.
- Toucans hang out in groups of 3 to 12, but also as large as groups of 20.
- They are very important to the biome of the rainforest. They eat a variety of native fruits and spread the seeds via their droppings, which helps keep the plants growing and maintains the forest’s diversity.
Next, add a few more ideas to bring your toucan habitat diorama to life.
Toucan Habitat Resources
- Toucans! My Incredible World Picture Book
- If you want another toucan activity that is especially great for younger kids make these. Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
- Watch All About Toucans to see the big beaked beauties in action.
- You can include toucans or any rainforest creature in this unique and easy Rainforest Triorama with kids project
Finally, look at how to make this fun toucan shoebox diorama.
How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall
You will need:
- Glue gun/sticks
- Box/shoebox
- Greenery
- Plastic toucan figure
- Green and blue craft paint
- Rocks and sticks
- Paintbrushes
- Silicone mat
These messy mats are a must for any project, and they work well to contain paint, glue, playdough, or any other mess.
Perfect for glue gun “sculptures”, they allow you to peel it away so easily.
First, decide which way you want to design your box.
We opted to put our box vertically so that we could maximize our waterfall and canopy height.
Paint the inside with thick blobby layers of different greens to create a thick full background, leaving some space for the blue of the waterfall.
Let the paint dry (or use a blow dryer to move it along a little faster).
Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall
Then paint your blue waterfall from the top down and on the bottom inside of the box to create a little pool.
Allow the paint to dry completely, while you are waiting you can create the waterfall
Lay out your silicone mat and drizzle hot glue in continuous motions up and down as tall and as wide as you like.
Be sure to overlap each of the layers so that each strand of glue is touching in multiple areas.
Allow glue to cool and harden, add more to the base of the waterfall for where it splashes up as it hits the pool.
Once your glue is hardened you can dab a bit of blue on the glue or leave it clear.
When the paint is dry inside your habitat you can begin to assemble it.
Place some hot glue along the top and bottom of your waterfall and layer over where you painted it in the box.
Drip additional hot glue to attach it into place and fill it out as you like.
Next, glue in some rocks around the pool and secure some sticks from the yard to use as tree trunks.
Then, attach greenery to the “trees” as well as on the ground to create a thick dense rainforest
Finally, add in your toucan and other animals if you would like to represent various parts of the rainforest.
