DIY Viking Shield Craft: Easy Medieval Art for Kids (No Supervision Needed!)

Ahoy there, brave adventurers and craft-loving parents! Are your little ones fascinated by the mighty Vikings, their longships, and their legendary battles? Do they dream of wielding a shield against mythical beasts or exploring uncharted territories? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We’re about to embark on a crafting journey that will transport your children back to the age of Norse heroes, with a special focus on the iconic Viking shield.

Viking shields weren't just pieces of wood; they were symbols of strength, defense, and community. Imagine your child’s delight as they design and create their very own shield, a tangible piece of history they can hold and play with. This article is packed with five fantastic and easy-to-follow Viking shield craft activities, perfect for sparking imagination and providing hours of creative fun. So gather your supplies, unleash your inner Viking spirit, and let’s get crafting!

Cardboard Viking Shield Masterpiece

This is our foundational shield craft, perfect for younger children and a fantastic way to introduce them to the basic shape and design of a Viking shield. It’s sturdy, customizable, and incredibly fun to decorate!

Materials:

• Large cardboard box (the bigger, the better!)
• Scissors or a craft knife (adult supervision required for the craft knife)
• Pencil
• Compass or a large round object (like a dinner plate or bucket) to trace
• Paint (acrylics or tempera work well) in various colors
• Paintbrushes
• Newspaper or drop cloth to protect your workspace
• Optional: Glitter, stickers, markers, yarn, fabric scraps for extra decoration
• Strong glue or hot glue gun (adult supervision required for hot glue)
• For the handle: A sturdy strip of cardboard (about 8-10 inches long and 2 inches wide), strong tape (duct tape or packing tape)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Trace Your Shield: Lay your cardboard flat. Use your compass or a large round object to trace a circle onto the cardboard. A diameter of 18-24 inches is a good starting point for a child-sized shield.
2. Cut Out the Shield: Carefully cut out the circle you traced. If using a craft knife, ensure an adult is doing the cutting.
3. Add the Boss (Center Piece): Vikings shields famously had a metal boss in the center. For our craft, we'll create a cardboard one. Cut out a smaller circle from a different piece of cardboard, about 4-6 inches in diameter. You can also cut a few smaller circles and layer them for a more 3D effect.
4. Paint the Base: Now for the fun part! Paint the main body of your shield. Traditional Viking shields were often painted in bright, bold colors with strong geometric patterns. Think reds, blues, yellows, and greens. Let the paint dry completely.
5. Decorate the Boss: Paint your cardboard boss. It could be metallic silver, gold, or a contrasting bright color. Once dry, glue it securely to the center of your shield.
6. Add Designs: This is where your child’s creativity shines! Encourage them to paint patterns, runes (Viking letters – you can find simple examples online!), or even a mythical creature onto their shield. Markers, glitter, and stickers can add extra flair.
7. Create the Handle: Take your strip of cardboard and bend it slightly to create a comfortable handle shape. Attach it to the back of the shield using strong tape. You can reinforce it by taping it on both sides and wrapping the tape around the edges of the shield for extra durability.
8. Attach the Handle (Alternative): For a more permanent handle, an adult can use a hot glue gun to attach the cardboard strip securely to the back of the shield. Ensure it’s firmly attached before letting your child play.

Paper Plate Viking Shield Fun

Looking for a quick, easy, and mess-free option? This paper plate shield is perfect for little hands and requires minimal materials. It’s a fantastic activity for a rainy afternoon or a classroom setting.

Materials:

• Sturdy paper plates (the thicker, the better)
• Scissors
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Optional: Glitter glue, sequins, stickers
• For the handle: A strip of cardstock or thick paper, glue or tape

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Plate: Take one paper plate. This will be the base of your shield.
2. The Boss: Take another paper plate. Cut out the center circle, leaving a ring. You can also cut out a smaller solid circle from a third plate for a more defined boss.
3. Decorate the Plates: Let your child decorate both the main plate and the boss ring (or solid circle) using markers, crayons, or colored pencils. They can draw patterns, symbols, or even their initial.
4. Assemble the Shield: Glue or tape the decorated boss ring (or solid circle) onto the center of the main plate.
5. Add Embellishments: If using, let your child add glitter glue, sequins, or stickers for extra sparkle.
6. Create the Handle: Cut a strip of cardstock or thick paper, about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide. Fold it in half lengthwise to make it sturdier.
7. Attach the Handle: Glue or tape the folded cardstock handle to the back of the shield, making sure it’s securely attached.

Viking Shield Decoration Challenge

This activity focuses on the artistic and symbolic elements of Viking shields. Instead of creating the shield from scratch, we’ll provide a pre-cut shield shape and let the decorating take center stage. This is great for kids who love to draw and paint intricate designs.

Materials:

• Pre-cut shield shapes made from sturdy cardstock or thin cardboard (you can buy these at craft stores or cut them out yourself from a large piece of cardboard)
• Acrylic paints, tempera paints, or even watercolors
• Paintbrushes of various sizes
• Fine-tipped permanent markers (black is great for outlines)
• Optional: Metallic paints, gold or silver markers, stencils
• Newspaper or drop cloth

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Lay down newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your surfaces.
2. Outline Your Design (Optional but Recommended): If using markers, encourage your child to lightly sketch out their design on the shield. This could be geometric patterns, animal motifs (like ravens or wolves, common Viking symbols), or abstract designs.
3. Paint the Base Colors: Start by painting the main colors of your shield. Allow each layer of paint to dry before adding more colors or details.
4. Add Details and Patterns: Use smaller brushes and markers to add intricate details. Think about dividing the shield into sections and decorating each one differently.
5. Embrace Viking Motifs: Research some common Viking patterns or symbols together. You could try to replicate knotwork designs, simple animal figures, or even attempt to draw some runes.
6. Use Metallic Accents: Metallic paints or markers can add a touch of regal splendor, mimicking the metal embellishments found on real Viking shields.
7. Highlight Outlines: Once the paint is dry, you can use a fine-tipped black marker to outline some of your designs, making them pop.
8. Let it Dry: Allow the shield to dry completely. If you plan to attach a handle later, you can do so at this stage using strong glue or tape.

Viking Shield Mask Craft

Let’s get a little more creative and combine our Viking shield with a fun mask! This activity allows children to wear their creation and truly step into the role of a Viking warrior.

Materials:

• Sturdy cardboard (from a box)
• Scissors or craft knife (adult supervision required)
• Pencil
• Compass or large round object
• Paint, markers, crayons
• Elastic band or sturdy string
• Hole punch
• Newspaper or drop cloth
• Optional: Craft foam, feathers, yarn, googly eyes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Create the Shield Base: On your cardboard, trace a circle large enough to cover your child's face and extend beyond it slightly, like a shield. Cut out the circle.
2. Cut Out Eyeholes: Position the shield shape over your child’s face (or imagine where their eyes would be) and mark where the eyeholes should go. Carefully cut out two eyeholes. Make sure they are large enough for good visibility.
3. Design the Shield: Decorate the shield as you would any other Viking shield craft. Think about bold colors and patterns. You can even add some embellishments like craft foam cutouts for extra texture.
4. Add a Nose (Optional): For a more characterful mask, you can cut a simple nose shape from cardboard and attach it to the shield with glue or tape.
5. Make it a Mask: Once the shield is decorated and dry, use your hole punch to create a hole on each side of the shield, near the edge.
6. Attach the Elastic: Cut a piece of elastic band or sturdy string long enough to go around your child's head. Thread one end through a hole on one side of the shield and tie a secure knot. Repeat on the other side.
7. Test and Adjust: Have your child try on the mask to ensure it fits comfortably and the eyeholes are aligned. Adjust the elastic as needed.

Viking Shield Storytelling Prop

This activity focuses on the narrative power of a Viking shield. We’ll create a shield that can be used as a prop for imaginative storytelling, perhaps incorporating movable parts or specific symbols that tell a story.

Materials:

• Large cardboard circle (pre-cut or cut yourself)
• Smaller cardboard circles or shapes for movable elements
• Brads (metal fasteners)
• Scissors or craft knife (adult supervision required)
• Pencil
• Paint, markers, crayons
• Glue or tape
• Newspaper or drop cloth
• Optional: Yarn, fabric scraps, small toys to attach

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Main Shield: Decorate your large cardboard circle as the base of your storytelling shield. Think about what kind of story you want to tell. Does it have a specific crest? Does it represent a particular clan?
2. Design Movable Elements: Cut out smaller cardboard shapes that can be attached to the main shield and moved. Examples include:
   • A raven that can be spun to reveal a rune.
   • A sun that can be rotated to show day or night.
   • A dragon’s head that can be moved up and down.
3. Attach Movable Parts:
   • Spinning Elements: To create a spinning element (like the raven or sun), punch a hole in the center of your small cardboard piece and a corresponding hole in the main shield where you want it to be. Insert a brad through both holes and secure it on the back.
   • Sliding Elements: You can create simple sliders by cutting a slot in the main shield and attaching a piece of cardboard that slides through it.
4. Decorate the Movable Parts: Decorate your movable elements to fit the story you’re creating.
5. Add Narrative Symbols: Use paint or markers to add symbols that represent characters, events, or locations in your story. You could draw a map on the shield, or create a section that shows a battle scene.
6. Incorporate Other Props: Glue on yarn to represent a stormy sea, fabric scraps for a village, or even small toy figures that can interact with the shield.
7. Create a Handle: Attach a sturdy cardboard handle to the back of the shield using tape or glue so it can be easily held during storytelling.

Tips for Success

• Embrace Imperfection: Remember, these are handmade crafts! It's okay if the lines aren't perfectly straight or the paint isn't perfectly even. The charm lies in the handmade nature.
• Safety First: Always supervise young children when using scissors or hot glue guns.
• Let Them Lead: Encourage your child's imagination. Ask them what colors they want to use, what designs they want to create, and what stories their shield will tell.
• Research Together: Look up real Viking shield designs, runes, and symbols online together. This can be a fun learning opportunity!
• Durability: For shields that will be used for active play, reinforce the handle and edges with extra tape or glue.
• Vary the Materials: Don't be afraid to experiment with different materials. Add fabric scraps, feathers, or even bottle caps for unique textures and looks.
• Storytelling Prompts: Once the shields are made, use them to spark imaginative play. Ask questions like, "What adventures has your shield been on?" or "What does this symbol mean?"

Conclusion

And there you have it – five fantastic ways to bring the spirit of the Vikings into your home with some incredible shield crafts! From sturdy cardboard creations to playful paper plate designs and even storytelling props, there’s a Viking shield craft for every child and every occasion. These activities are more than just fun; they’re opportunities for creativity, learning, and imaginative play. As your little warriors proudly display and wield their handmade shields, they’re not just playing; they’re stepping into history, crafting stories, and building memories. So go forth, gather your supplies, and let the Viking crafting adventures begin! Skål!

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