How to Make a Diorama of the Alamo

In 1836, Mexican and Texan troops fought at the Alamo. During this battle, the Mexican Army defeated Texans fighting for their independence after a battle that lasted 13 days. Historians believe all or most of the Texans died at the Alamo. Texas later earned its independence. Commemorate this significant moment in Texas history with this easy-to-make diorama of the Alamo. This project is ideal for school projects, history class or after-school educational programs.

Take an empty shoebox or a similar-sized box that does not have a lid. You will cover the outside and inside with construction paper. To measure what sized paper you need, place one side of the box down on the construction paper and trace the edges with a pencil. Do this for all sides of the box.

Trace the backside of the box a second time on a sheet of blue construction paper. The second strip of paper will be used inside of the box with the blue paper serving as the sky.

Glue the strips of construction paper on the sides of the box. Glue the blue piece of paper to the bottom of the box. This will be the sky in the background of your Alamo scene.

Create an Alamo by drawing the shape of the signature building on a piece of cardboard. The building is shaped like a long rectangle. The center of the building's roof has a curved top, similar to a reverse horseshoe. Look for a photo of the building online to help you with the drawing. Cut out the cardboard in this shape.

Cover the Alamo-shaped cardboard with white paint. Use brown paint to paint a brown door and several small windows on the building

Glue the Alamo-shaped cardboard to a piece of foam once the paint has dried. Glue the other side of the foam square to the shoebox bottom. Turn the box on its side so that it looks like the building is sitting on the ground with a blue sky background.

Make a cannon by rolling a small piece of black construction paper in a roll and gluing it in front of the Alamo building.

Use scraps of red, blue and white construction paper to make a small Texas flag. Affix this flag to a toothpick and put it on top of the cut-out Alamo building. Again, check online for a Texas flag to get the colors in their proper places.

Add rocks, grass and toy army men to the floor of the diorama if desired to add a realistic look to the scene.

Decorate the sides of the box with markers or crayons. Here you can write down facts about the Alamo, list the names of people who died at the Alamo or draw pictures of the people who fought at the Alamo.