How to Build a Trojan Horse Out of Clay

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Things You'll Need

  • Modeling clay

  • Toothpick or small knife

  • Rolling pin

  • Measuring tape or ruler

  • Horse head stencil

  • Cookie sheet

  • Acrylic paint

  • Brushes

The Trojan horse has its roots in ancient Greece's Trojan War. Legend has it that Odysseus and Athena built a wooden horse to store Greek soldiers. The horse was brought into Troy on the guise of bringing the town luck and a symbol of the Trojan victory against Greece. The soldiers waited patiently inside the horse until late into the night, when they broke free and destroyed most of the town, assuring the victory of the Greeks. Making the Trojan horse can be a class project or a fun way to pass the time.

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Step 1

Roll your clay flat on a table or other smooth, hard surface.

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Step 2

Cut a 5-by-5-inch slab of clay for the middle of the Trojan horse. Put the rest of the clay aside.

Step 3

Fashion the clay into a box (without a top) by pulling up on all four sides.

Step 4

Measure the opening of the box.

Step 5

Cut a slab of clay about 1/4 inch thick about 1/4 inch longer and wider than the opening of the box. Set it aside.

Step 6

Roll the clay out again and cut out a head of a horse about 3 inches tall using a toothpick or small knife. If this is too difficult for you to do freehand, place a horse head stencil about 3 inches tall on top of the clay and cut according to the stencil. The head of the horse should be about 1/2 inch thick to ensure it will properly stand.

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Step 7

Attach the horse head to the front of the box by molding it together. It may be easier to flatten the portion of the horse head that will go against the box for a better fit.

Step 8

Shape four legs for the horse to stand on. They should be about an inch thick and able to support your box. Mold them underneath the box, one on each corner. Adjust them until they stand on their own.

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Step 9

Place the Trojan horse on a cookie sheet and place the slab that goes on top of the box next to the horse (but not molded to it).

Step 10

Bake until the Trojan horse hardens.

Step 11

Place the small slab on top of the box to close it off.

Step 12

Paint with acrylics as desired.

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