Add a touch of Hollywood glamour to your Oscar party, kids’ dramatic play, or afternoon craft time with this adorable DIY mini Oscar statuette!
Okay, readers…short story time (indulge me). Picture it: Minnesota. 1987-ish. I’m roughly 8, 9, 10 years old. My uncle has just given me this year’s full collection of the best People Magazines (one of our annual traditions). Three Red Owl paper grocery bags full of the freshest pop culture “news” around.
My mom, dad, sister, and I are preparing to drive the 12 hours from Minnesota to Ohio in a Dodge Caravan on January 1st (another annual tradition) and I have nothing but time…and all that late-80s celeb hot goss.
We’ve organized our collection by theme, so you can use the links below to jump straight to a specific topic of interest in this article…
It’s impossible to pinpoint when, how, or why, but by this time in my life, I had already become completely enamored with the entertainment industry. Oh sure, the gossip and glamour were fun, but I loved ALL of it. The history, the peeks behind the scenes, the sheer next-level-ness of it all.
I had favorite movie lines too…
“Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a BUMPY night,” I’d announce with a head toss, as we approached the Indiana/Ohio border. I use that line to this day, and it has always served me VERY well (thank you again, Bette Davis and Joseph Mankiewicz).
Make your own Oscar statuette along with us by watching the video tutorial below!
And all of this backstory is to say, not only did I like the movies…I had already developed a genuine love for the *whole* production. And for 8-year-old me, Hollywood productions culminated in the form of the Academy Awards.
Though I had rarely seen all of the nominated movies, and usually only half-understood Billy Crystal’s witty song and dance numbers, the show of show business had me in a stranglehold. Still does, to be honest!
So, in honor of those childhood memories…an Oscar statue. Not just any Oscar, though—a DIY, eco-friendlier trophy pulled together by our own scrappy props department from a couple of recycled/upcycled finds.
For more cinema-inspired fun, recreate the Walk of Fame with this Hollywood star walk activity for kids or discover a treasure trove of movie-making kids activities to inspire young cinema enthusiasts.
To make your own DIY Oscars statuette you’ll need:
Note: We prefer to shop locally or use what we have at home, but this list contains Woodpeckers Crafts, Etsy, Blick Art Materials, Bookshop.org and/or Amazon affiliate links for reference. As affiliates (and Amazon Associates), we make a small commission on qualifying purchases.*
How to Make a Mini Oscars Statue – DIY Instructions:
Paint your ribbon spool.
Begin by painting the cardboard ribbon spool black to mimic the actual Oscar statue base.
Let it dry completely.
Paint your peg doll.
Paint your chosen peg doll gold (or any color you want your awards to be – out-of-the-box thinking deserves all the Oscars!).
If you’re painting over unfinished wooden peg dolls, the paint typically soaks right in and dries to the touch within minutes. It usually takes a bit longer if you’re covering something that has a finish.
Assemble the statue.
Once both the peg dolls and the spools are dry, use a hot glue gun or craft glue to attach each doll to a spool to the top of the spool.
Apply a generous amount of adhesive to the top of the spool and press the bottom of the peg doll onto it firmly. Allow it to set up before awarding or playing with your mini-awards!
Add details or accessorize!
With a black marker or paint, you can add details to your Oscar statues. This could include facial features, the Oscar’s iconic design elements, or even a personalized message.
Use recycled paper or fabric scraps to create miniature accessories for your Oscars. This can be bow ties, dresses, or any other decorations you think will add character to your statues.
Once your DIY Oscar statues are complete and dry, they’re ready to be showcased, awarded, or used in other kids’ activities.
They make great awards for mini competitions, decorations for a Hollywood-themed party, or props in dramatic play.
A Few Uses for Your DIY Oscar Statues…
1. Kid-Led Award Ceremonies
Host a mini award ceremony at home or in the classroom. Kids can vote on categories, and then hand out DIY Oscar statues as awards. And there’s no reason these have to be “Oscars” either – invite kids to come up with creative names for their own festivities and awards.
2. Hollywood-Themed Parties
These statues are adorable little props for Hollywood-themed parties or Oscars viewing parties. They can serve as table centerpieces, party favors, or part of a photo booth set up where kids can pose with their awards.
3. Cinema-Themed Dramatic Play Props
Encourage imaginative play by incorporating the Oscar statues into a dramatic play area. Kids can pretend to be movie stars, directors, or screenwriters, using the statues as props in their storytelling.
4. Creative Writing Prompts
Use your Oscar statues as a creative writing prompt. Kids can write speeches accepting their awards, create stories about being at the Oscars, or invent new categories for awards.
5. Recognition for Good Deeds or Achievements
Beyond just games and parties, you can use the statues to recognize and celebrate children’s good deeds, achievements, or milestones. It’s a wonderful way to boost their self-esteem and acknowledge their efforts.
Additional Tips for Customization and Creativity
1. Add Personalized “Engravings”
As we did in our how-to video, you can use a fine-tipped marker or a small paintbrush to add names, dates, or special achievements onto a scrap paper “plaque” or directly onto the base of the Oscar statue. This personal touch makes the award even more meaningful to its recipient.
2. Incorporate Theme-Related Decorations
Tailor the design of your Oscar statues to fit the theme of your party or event. For a superhero-themed celebration, for instance, you could add tiny capes or masks to your statues. For a space-themed event, star stickers or planets on the base would work. You get the idea!
3. Add Interactive Elements
Incorporate elements that can be changed or updated. Interchangeable accessories, for example. Or create a small slot on the statue’s base where you can insert different titles or categories, allowing the statue to be reused for various awards.
4. Get Creative With More Eco-Friendly Materials
While this project already focuses on recycling, take it a step further by exploring other eco-friendly materials for decoration. Consider natural dyes for painting, biodegradable glitter for a bit of sparkle, or scraps of fabric from old clothing for accessories.
5. Extend the Project
Create a whole set of awards, not just the Oscar. Think about making other trophies or medals from recycled materials, each for different achievements or categories.
6. Share Display and Storage Ideas
After the party or event, provide ideas for displaying or storing the Oscar statues. Create a “cloche” using a trimmed clear bottle, or designate a special spot in a room or classroom to showcase the achievement.
More DIYS for Little Cinephiles
- Use a shoebox along with other recycled supplies to put together your own cardboard movie camera or DIY movie slate
- Inspire budding set directors, screenwriters, and directors with movie art prompts for kids
GETTING READY TO TRY this?
I love seeing all the ways people make these ideas their own! If you're sharing the results of one of our projects, mention or tag me with @barleyandbirch, or share it in the comments of one of our Pinterest project pins.
