How to Make a Human Skeleton out of Paper

Reviewed by Anne Schmidt

Last Updated: October 10, 2022

Paper skeletons are great to have around. They are popular for learning anatomy, as Halloween decorations, or just for fun! Making a paper skeleton at home can teach you about bones and be a fun activity at the same time.

Printable Paper Skeleton

Printable Skeleton

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making a Skeleton out of Paper

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1
Choose paper. Pick the paper you will use to make your skeleton.
- Printer paper works fine and is cheap and available.
- Cardstock will hold its shape better and last longer, but it is also more expensive.
- Paper plates are a good alternative material with more strength than printer paper.^{[1]
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2
Find a skeleton image. Locate an image of a skeleton to use as a model. You can find printable skeletons on-line.
- A cartoon skeleton will be easier to work with than a very detailed scientific picture.
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3
Divide the skeleton into parts. Separate out the parts of the skeleton that will make up your paper skeleton. Each part will be made out of one piece of paper, Cardstock, or paper plate.
- Skull (head)
- Rib cage
- Pelvis
- 2 Upper-arm bones
- 2 Lower-arm bones with hands
- 2 Upper-leg bones
- 2 Lower-leg bones with feet

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Creating the Skeleton Parts

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1
Create the arms. The arms have two parts, an upper and a lower arm. Use one piece of paper or Cardstock for each part of the arm. Trace the printed skeleton picture, or use the picture as a guide to draw the bones on paper.
- For a basic skeleton, draw out two cartoon bone shapes. Use one for the upper arm and one, with a hand on it, for the lower arm.
- For a more anatomically correct skeleton, note that the arm has more than two bones in it. Follow a more detailed model and outline more detailed shapes or draw details on the parts of the arm. The upper arm has one bone, the humerus. The lower arm has the radius and the ulna. The hand has many bones in it.^{[2]
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  Research source} For a detailed skeleton, draw these
Use scissors to cut around the outlines of the arms.
3
Create the legs. The legs are similar to the arms. They have two main sections, an upper leg and a lower leg. Once you have created the leg bones, cut them out.
- For a basic skeleton, draw out two cartoon bone shapes. Use one for the upper leg and one, with a foot on it, for the lower leg.
- For a more detailed skeleton, note that the leg has more than two bones in it. Follow a more detailed model and outline more detailed shapes or draw details on the parts of the arm.The upper leg is called the femur; the lower leg bones are the tibia and fibula. The foot is made of many bones called the tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges.^{[3]
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- For a more anatomically correct skeleton, make the legs one and a half times the length of the arms.
Use scissors to cut around the outlines of the legs.
5
Make the ribs and pelvis. Follow the drawing to create the ribs and pelvis. Then cut them out.
- To be anatomically correct, make 12 pairs of ribs.
- For more detail draw shoulder blades, sockets, and collar bones near the top of the ribs.
- For a detailed pelvis, include the sacrum and coccyx, two bones at the end of the spine.
6
Create the head. Draw a skull on paper and cut it out. Make sure to include eye sockets and a nose socket.
- For a more detailed skull, draw a bottom jaw and teeth.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Assembling the Skeleton

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1
Punch holes. Use a hole puncher to add holes to connect the parts of your skeleton.
- If you don't have a hole puncher, use a scissor or a knife.
- Punch one hole at the bottom of the skull.
- Punch a hole at the top of the ribs to connect the skull and at the bottom of the ribs to connect the pelvis.
- Punch one hole in the top of the pelvis.
- Punch holes in the top and bottom of the upper arms and upper legs.
- Punch holes at the top of the lower arms and lower legs.
2
Choose fasteners. The skeleton parts can be attached to each other with loops of string or brass fasteners.
- Brass fasteners can be found at office supply or craft stores.
- String gives the skeleton a looser, dangly look. Brass fasteners can be fastened tightly to hold bones in particular positions.
3
Attach the skeleton pieces. Fasten the skeleton pieces together using the brass fasteners or string.
- The bottom of the skull connects to the top of the ribs.
- The upper legs fasten to either side of the hip/pelvis bones.
- The shoulder blades connect to the upper arms.
- The lower arms connect to the upper arms and the lower legs connect to the upper legs.

Community Q&A

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Question

Where are the tarsals located?

Community Answer

You have the tarsal and metatarsal. The tarsal is located between the flat of your foot and a little below your shin while the metatarsal is just before your toes begin.

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Question

How do I make a stand for the skeleton?

Kathryn Koroly

Community Answer

To make a skeleton stand you will need a small plastic tube and a small, thin plastic circle. Then you will need to hot glue the tube to the middle of the circle, and then position the skeleton so it will stand.

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Question

After the skeleton is made, how do I make a structure using sticks to make the skeleton stand?

Awwsrita_06

Community Answer

Just observe the actual stand. Use sticks to build it. But don't start with the stick being vertically up. Use craft glue, quick drying glue, or wood based glue.

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