LOTR Art Project Ideas for Homeschoolers
Crafty Activities for Children Based on Peter Jackson’s Films
Use these ideas as springboards for one-off projects, or incorporate them into a Tolkien unit study. Peter Jackson's film versions of The Lord of the Rings are richly visual and have a large and creative fanbase, which gives homeschoolers plenty of online resources and tutorials for creating LOTR-based crafts. Where details of costumes or props need to be examined, the Visual Companions to LOTR are an excellent resource.
Reproducing Costumes From LOTR
Ngila Dickson’s costumes have been replicated by enthusiastic fans worldwide. They range from fairly forgiving sewing projects – creating a generic hobbit outfit – to specific, detailed labours of love. As no patterns exist which entirely reproduce specific costumes, making a LOTR outfit requires a lot of research, cobbling together various pattern parts, examining screenshots and utilising a lot of helpful online advice. Some enthusiasts even dye fabrics to the correct shade.
Flags, Pennants and Banners in LOTR
Some of the heraldic devices in the films were inspired by Tolkien’s own; others were created specifically for the trilogy. Homeschoolers can recreate these banners on paper (for younger children) or fabric (for the particularly ambitious!). The devices are also a fun jumping-off point for creativity – children can design banners for other LOTR characters or for themselves.
Jewelry from the LOTR Films
Arwen’s Evenstar, the One Ring and the Fellowship’s Elven brooches are only a few of the intricate pieces of jewelry sprinkled throughout the films. Homeschoolers who enjoy jewelry-making might like to attempt some of the pieces with beads and metal; alternatively, some of the jewelry could be replicated with Fimo polymer clay and paint.
LOTR Armour and Weaponry
Actually reproducing Narsil is probably out of the range of most homeschooling budgets; but the trilogy’s impressive array of weapons and armour can be used as a starting point for a number of projects. Sculpt and paint surprisingly realistic swords out of polystyrene; invent a new Orcish sword; or create LOTR-inspired armour out of cardboard and plastic.
LOTR Research and Project Ideas for Homeschoolers
- Tolkien based several of his cultures on historical cultures. Examine how the art and architecture of Rohan reflects that of Anglo-Saxon culture, and how that of Gondor mirrors that of ancient Egypt. (The Tolkien artists Alan Lee and John Howe were particularly aware of these influences, and the parallels come across strongly in the films).
- A few visual moments in the films are based closely on Tolkien’s own paintings. See if you can find which screenshots match which paintings.
- Consider decorating a room hobbit-style or elf-style based on the designs shown in the films. If actually redecorating is impractical, make up drawings and schematics showing what the completed room would look like.
- Make a model of a building or city from LOTR – Gondor, Isengard and Minas Morgul are striking choices. The model could be executed in polystyrene, clay, 3-D animation or even as a cake!
- Bag End features two portraits above the fireplace of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh as hobbits. Make some portraits of family members as hobbits, Elves or Dwarves – preferably not orcs!
For related art projects based on the books rather than the films, see Lord of the Rings Homeschooling Art Projects.
Arwen's Evenstar Pendant From the LOTR Films
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