Emojis are a fun way to show your expressions (happy face, cool glasses and laughing emoji). These fun icons have surpassed their origins on the internet and through texting and are now part of everyone’s daily communication habits. Did you know the first emoji was created by Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita. He wanted to create a simple and succinct way to convey information using images. Since then, companies started using emojis and making their own. The Garden has a few favorite emojis, including ( add cactus, mountain, sun and plant).
In celebration of National Emoji Day, enjoy this family friendly activity to make your own emoji.
Materials:
· Two paper plates
· Staples or tape
· Yellow tissue paper or party streamer
· Black and green construction paper
· Glue stick
· Scissors
· Optional: yarn, string or twine
· Optional: candy or other items
![PXL_20210709_220214457 PXL_20210709_220214457](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_220214457.jpeg)
Procedure:
1. Optional: Cut a piece of yarn, string or twine. Create a hook and staple it to the top of one of the plates.
![PXL_20210709_220755381 PXL_20210709_220755381](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_220755381.jpeg)
2. Take the two plates and place both fronts on top of each other. It should create a void between them.
![PXL_20210709_220700376 PXL_20210709_220700376](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_220700376.jpeg)
3. Optional: Add your candy to the void and finish with the final staples.
4. Now, staple the plates around the edges together. (Or you can tape them together.)
![PXL_20210709_220927457 PXL_20210709_220927457](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_220927457.jpeg)
5. Cut 2-inch strips of tissue paper
6. Now, cut small slits across the bottom of the tissue paper. (Or take the party streamer and cut slits across the bottom of it.)
![PXL_20210709_221427315 PXL_20210709_221427315](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_221427315.jpeg)
7. Run your glue stick across the bottom of your paper plate it in a straight line and gently lay your tissue paper across it. Cut any excess tissue paper off.
![PXL_20210709_221009692 PXL_20210709_221009692](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_221009692.jpeg)
8. Place your next line of glue above the tissue paper or party streamer and repeat until the whole plate is covered.
![PXL_20210709_221228131 PXL_20210709_221228131](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_221228131.jpeg)
9. Now, get the black construction paper or party streamer and cut out a pair of cool shades and a smile. Then paste onto your emoji.
![PXL_20210709_222339376 PXL_20210709_222339376](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_222339376-e1626994744417.jpeg)
10. Now, cut two saguaro shapes and paste those on top of your cool shades.
![PXL_20210709_222430964 PXL_20210709_222430964](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_222430964.jpeg)
11. Hang up your project or gift it to a special friend for emoji day!
![PXL_20210709_222943264 PXL_20210709_222943264](https://dbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210709_222943264.jpeg)