Ancient Egyptian sculptors formed figurines and statues from acacia or sycamore wood; stones such as limestone, sandstone, red granite; metals such as copper, iron, gold and silver; and Nile River mud. While stone and metalwork require specialized tools, modeling clay will suffice to create miniature replicas of the ancient Egyptian monoliths. A more ambitious option is to whittle a monolith from a block of soft pine or balsa wood. To create the appearance of stone or metal, spray paint the sculpture with stone texture or metallic paint. All painting and whittling should be done under adult supervision.
Traditional Egyptian painting depicts the head in profile, but gives a frontal-eye view to make every feature as recognizable as possible and avoid confusing or limiting the spirits in the afterlife. To create an Egyptian-style painting, select a subject and research the correct forms for portraying that figure. Egyptian gods had to be pictured as their animal icons and seated figures with hands on their knees. Men's skin color was shown in darker colors than women's. Outline the basic form with charcoal pencils and then add painted details.
The richly ornamented artifacts found in royal tombs distract children from the fact that ordinary Egyptians depended on clay to make bricks, tableware, figurines, jewelry, toys and games. Clay pots and dishes served as storage for food, water and household goods as well as idols and ceremonial objects for temple rituals. If a pottery wheel is available, children can throw a pot. Otherwise, form modeling clay into bowls, plates, jewelry or games such as knucklebones, a form of jacks, or mancala, a board game. Common items were not usually decorated, but if desired, etch designs in the soft clay or paint before air drying.
The arid desert of Egypt meant that wood was in short supply but sand, stone and Nile River mud were readily available. Therefore, commoners built their one-room homes from mud bricks. Nobles built sturdier stone homes with tiled floors and wall paintings. Flat-topped homes with ladders or staircases to the roof allowed families to relax or sleep on the roof to escape the hot air below. Most homes had a courtyard in the front where people would cook, eat, spin cloth and keep animals. Form miniature bricks from modeling clay and dry; or collect enough small rocks to simulate a wealthy home. Arrange the bricks to create ancient Egyptian home model using glue, more clay or plaster of Paris as the connecting mortar. Craft sticks or short pieces of doweling can serve as the timber posts that helped hold up the flat roofs.