How to make a nativity scene

picture of a homemade christmas nativity

Stable

To make: We used a large box approx 35cm x 25cm x 20cm from Hobbycraft. For the window, glue an 8cm square of dark blue felt or paper to the centre of the box base, add two strips of brown paper and a silver card star. Turn the box on its side to resemble a barn and scatter with straw. It’s a good idea to make the barn out of a strong box with a lid, so you can store the pieces in it for another year.

Mary

To make: Cover the body - a toilet roll tube - with a rectangle of dark blue felt (16cm x 7cm) and a rectangle of flesh coloured felt (16cm x 3.5cm) for the face. Wrap around the cardboard tube and stick down.

For the headdress, cut a rectangle of blue fabric (11cm x 23cm). Position over the top of the tube and secure with a blue pipe cleaner. Twist the pipe cleaner at the back to hold in place and trim. Dot on the eyes and mouth using a pen. Cut hands from flesh-coloured felt and stick in place.

Joseph

To make: As for Mary, but cut a dark brown felt body, a black fabric headdress (approx 10cm x 18cm) secured with a brown pipe cleaner and a brown felt beard. Add the features and hands.

To make the lantern, cut an 18cm length of brown pipe cleaner and bend the tip into a loop and curl the other tightly around a pencil to make the lantern light shape.

Baby Jesus

To make: For the crib, cut a tube in half across the middle, then in half lengthways. Cover with felt. Fold a piece of felt to make a pillow. Wrap a large wooden bead in felt, add features and stick pipe cleaner halo in place.

Shepherd

To make: As for Joseph, but make a stripy fabric headdress secured with a dark brown pipe cleaner. To make the crook, cut an 18cm length of beige pipe cleaner and bend the top into a crook shape. Stick to one of the shepherd's hands.

Three Kings

To make: As for Mary, but choose different colours for each of the kings. Use fabric for the body and tie a 30cm length of ribbon around the middle as a belt, knot, trim and stick in place. Add a glittery gift made from card, decorate with a craft jewel and glue in place above the knot. Add hands and features. Cut a crown from 17cm of gold card and wrap around the king's head. Decorate with sequins or glittery card, stick in place and add felt hair or a beard. Cut a fabric cloak rectangle (13cm x 7cm) for each king and stick the top edge to the body.

Sheep

To make: For the body, take a cork and, using a sharp knife, slice an opening for the sheep's head to slide into. Pierce the opposite side of the cork to make four holes for legs. Cut two cotton buds in half for legs and push firmly into the holes. Stick cotton wool balls around the cork. Draw a sheep's face onto white card, cut out and slide into the cork.

Angel

To make: As for Mary, but use white sparkle felt for her body and wrap a strip of gold card along the base. Stick double-sided tape around the top of the tube, place a small bundle of yellow tapestry wool over the top and press in place. Bunch on either side with clear hair bands and then trim the ends. Cut the wings from a 13cm x 10cm square of white card and stick to her back. Make a halo from a 20cm length of white pipe cleaner bent into a circle, leaving a length to stick in place at the back. For her hymn book, draw some music on to a tiny piece of card, fold in half and glue it into her hands.