Let's make a gecko climber
Have you ever spotted a gecko before? Found across Australia (except Tasmania), these loveable lizards sometimes like to visit our homes.
Difficulty: Medium
Known for their large eyes, soft bodies and fleshy tongues- many are also equipped with special pads on their toes that allow them to move across smooth, vertical surfaces with ease.
Why not create your own Gecko Climber and see how high you can climb?
You will need
- Activity sheet (printed out):
- Coloured crayon, pencils or textas
- Paper or plastic straw
- Masking or cellophane tape
- Scissors
- Glue
- Length of twine or wool
- Thick card
What to do
1. Colour in and cut-out the Gecko template. You may like to visit Collections Online for some real life lizard and gecko examples to inspire your colouring.
2. Glue your paper gecko onto a piece of thick card for added strength then cut this out and allow to dry.
3. Attach two small straws (approximately 4cm length) to the rear side using masking or cellophane tape. These straws should be spaced apart and angled slightly outward at the bottom.
4. Thread a length of string or yarn through each straw, creating a loop at the Gecko's head allowing the loose ends to hang freely.
5. Hook this loop around a door knob or other anchor point, then holding the ends of the string, pull each side back and forth alternating left and right.
6. Watch as your Gecko climbs the wall!