Create Your Own Tour de France - A Moving Image Craft

Allez! Allez! 

This breakaway project is inspired by my love of the Tour de France AND the amazing production team at NBC Sports. How they can edit together all those fantastic video packages so quickly is beyond me - it takes me most of the day to get one crafting video edited. 

Materials & Supplies 

  • Scissors
  • Hole Puncher
  • Tape
  • Glue
  • Paper Straws 
  • Flower and Leaf Template

Here's a 30-second visual guide, accompanied by inspirational music to entice your crafting spirit.

Step 1: Create the Scenic Route

Color the landscape images found on page 2, then carefully cut along the dotted lines, including the attached tab on the second image.

Next, position the first landscape image over the second, using the overlap tab. Secure them together by applying tape to both sides of the paper along the seam.

Attach each end of the landscape to paper straws using tape. Leave about an inch on the bottom. 

Step 2: Build Your TV Station

Cut out the dotted box with the TV design from page one. Use this as a template to outline on a piece of cardboard, it will measure approximately 5 inches by 6 inches.

Next, cut out the white interior section of the TV design. Position this cutout over the cardboard and trace around the interior opening. Carefully cut out this traced area, making the opening slightly larger than the original for a better fit. Attach the TV paper design to the front of the cardboard using glue or tape.

Step 3: Assemble Riders

Color and carefully cut out the four cyclists from the first page. Then, on the backside of the cardboard, use tape or glue to attach the riders at the bottom of the TV opening.

Step 4: Set Up the Support

Cut four 1-inch squares from another piece of cardboard. Punch a hole in the center of each square, ensuring the hole is slightly larger than your paper straws. I used a pen to widen.

Take your rolled-up landscape and position it on the back of the TV cardboard, arranging it so that the opening is covered by the drawing. Mark the top and bottom on the cardboard where the straws will sit, and also mark the straw where the bottom of the cardboard is, trimming the straw to fit as necessary.

Attach the first 1-inch cardboard piece by gluing one edge to one of the two top straw marks. If needed, secure it with a small scrap piece of cardboard for added support. Repeat on other side. Slide both straws into the top holes.

Next, take the remaining two 1-inch cardboard pieces and insert them into the bottom of each straw. Then, glue one edge to the marked bottom, ensuring it aligns with the top.

Cut two strips of cardboard, ensuring they match the height of your larger TV piece, which should be approximately 5 inches. On the back side of the large cardboard, attach one edge of each strip to the outer side of the inch squares using glue.

Step 5: Roll Out the Adventure

Continue twisting the straw to roll up the landscape drawing. The paper might resist, but persist in your attack, and it will eventually yield. In other words - you may need to unroll and re-roll a few times to achieve a smoother ride.

Step 6: Lights, Camera, Action!

With everything in place, gently rotate the opposite straw to make the background move, giving the illusion of cyclists racing through the French countryside into the final stage in Paris.

Pro tip: If desired, tape black paper to the inside of the box to prevent light from shining through and maintain focus on your moving masterpiece.

About Craft Along with Katie 

Born out of a call to help our local library during lockdown, these crafting videos provide full step-by-step guides to fun and engaging craft projects. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just looking for a delightful way to spend an afternoon with the family, these videos are designed to inspire and entertain.

If you're looking for more le tour inspiration (in the form of party decorations of course) be sure to check out the TdF  collection at the #TableSettingIsMyLife Etsy Store.



Steamboat Willie Post


Follow the directions from my Steamboat Willie craft. Like this Tour de France version, I figured it out as I crafted. For a more complete tutorial, check out the video below. 

For more totally family friendly crafts, check out our previous Crafts with Katie posts.

 Or check out our Tour de France decorations at  #TableSettingIsMyLife on Esty.

Chapeau!

A term which is frequently used by cyclists to indicate respect for another's achievements. By saying "chapeau", which literally means "hat", the rider is doffing his cap to a colleague for a good day's riding.

Bob Benson 1954 - 2017

The Dad, our breakaway leader who started the family's obsession with le Tour de France many stages ago.