This big fella is all cardboard, felt and filler, and easy to make. He points the way to a fun-filled room of discovery and imagination. Our Pete is 3' x 5' including his cardboard box base, though you can size him up or down. Rustic greetings, "This Way to the Fair!" and "Y'all Come" use up cardboard scraps.

Cost: $10
Time: 2 hours or less

Here's what you need:

• 1.5 yards of 72"-wide green felt
• Cardboard pieces, large and small
• Fiberfill (40 ounces) or newspaper
• Fabric to camouflage base
• Bandana, hat
• Scissors, shipping tape, and staple gun
• Rope, yarn, or string for sign

Here's what you do:

• Enlarge this cactus pattern (PDF) and trace it onto cardboard. Allow an extra 12" of cardboard at the base for standing in cardboard box.
• Cut out cardboard form. Reinforce (we used scrap cardboard) and tape joinings, such as arms.
• Cut felt adding a 4" border to all sides of the pattern.
• Stuff as you staple to form. Starting at the top of an arm, fold the extra felt to the back of the cactus form and staple. Work in small sections.
• Secure cactus in cardboard-box base and camouflage with draped cloth or paint.

Follow the Reading Trail to the Book Fair!
Use this horseshoe pattern (PDF) to create a trail leading cowpokes and city folks to your Reading RoundUp.