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Chameleon on a branch

Build a three-dimensional chameleon about 18 cm long, with a tall helmet, raised eyes, four gripping legs and a spiral tail. The green figurine stands on its own brown branch and sand-coloured base. You can split the project across several sessions.

Age
8–12 years
Length
approx. 6.5 h
Level
Medium
Where you teach
Home
Purpose
Creative
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. Lower oval and grid
  2. Second base layer
  3. Two sets of branch profiles
  4. Assemble the branch and attach three feet
  5. Flat body hoops and profiles
  6. Complete the three-dimensional cage
  7. First half of the covering
  8. Close the body covering
  9. Flat head hoops
  10. Three-dimensional helmet and neck
  11. First head covering strands
  12. Complete the helmet and snout
  13. Left eye turret
  14. Left side details
  15. Right eye turret
  16. Right side details
  17. Toothed crest
  18. Four legs on the patterns
  19. Two flat spiral profiles
  20. Bridge the tail profiles
  21. Cover half the tail
  22. Complete the tail covering
  23. Slide the tail over the free offshoot
  24. Position the legs against the body
  25. Seat the chameleon and join the rump to the tail
  26. Close all four grips and check the figurine

What gets built

Build a figurine with a distinctive profile and a curled tail.

What it practises
  • Building a three-dimensional cage from profiles and hoops
  • Covering a frame with short supported strands
  • Joining and aligning PLA modules

Success criteria
  • The chameleon is recognisable from both sides and from the front.
  • Four legs grip the branch and the inner tail coil has an additional support point.
  • The base rests flat and the figurine stands unaided.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration
Also
PLA-compatible 3D pen with power supply and stand: 1 set, 3D pen mat suitable for PLA working temperatures: 1 item, Millimetre ruler: 1 item, Filament end cutters: 1 item, Patterns printed at 100% scale: 1 set

Files

The files for this plan are part of full access

Anyone can read the description. The slides, instructions and worksheet open with full access to the Creators Club. Choose a plan in the shop, then enter the code from the email in your account. Access starts when you enter the code.

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Version ac5862e2-a973-415d-952f-2abff988a8e0 Updated 2026-10-08

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