Thelma the Unicorn Craft Activity to Celebrate What Makes Students Unique

If you’re looking for a meaningful craft that also sparks conversation, creativity, and confidence in young learners, this Thelma the Unicorn craft activity is a perfect addition to your classroom. In Kindergarten, Foundation/Prep, Grade 1, and Grade 2 classrooms, crafts can do so much more than simply decorate the walls. They create opportunities for discussion, storytelling, and self-expression. When students cut, colour, draw, and write about themselves, they are building confidence while strengthening early literacy skills.

One of my favourite picture books to pair with a classroom craft is Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey. This fabulous story follows Thelma, a horse who dreams of becoming a glamorous unicorn. When her wish unexpectedly comes true, she quickly discovers that fame and attention aren’t everything they seem. The story gently reminds young readers that being yourself is what truly matters.

Because the book’s message is all about self-acceptance, it naturally lends itself to a reflective classroom activity in which students celebrate what makes them unique.

Activity Overview: The Thelma the Unicorn Craft Activity

To help your students dive deeper into Thelma’s journey, I’ve designed a Thelma the Unicorn craft activity that is as meaningful as it is adorable. This resource encourages students to reflect on their unique qualities while creating a beautiful classroom display.

Materials Needed:

• Thelma the Unicorn template (available from TPT)
• Cardstock for printing
• Lead pencils, colored markers, or crayons
• Scissors
• String or wool
• tape

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Read the story together
Start by reading Thelma the Unicorn aloud to your class. Pause during the story to discuss how Thelma feels and what she learns about being herself.

2. Talk about uniqueness
After the story, ask students:

• What makes you special?
• What do you love about yourself?
• What are you good at?

This discussion helps students generate ideas for their craft.

3. Print the templates
Print one cloud and five circles per student on cardstock. The stronger paper helps the final display last longer on your bulletin board or hanging across your classroom.

4. Students decorate and respond
Students write or draw something that makes them unique in each circle. For younger learners, drawing is a great option. Some examples might include:

• “I am kind.”
• “I love dancing.”
• “I am a good friend.”
• “I like helping people.”
• “I am funny.”

6. Attach the circles
Use string or wool to hang the circles from the cloud by attaching them with tape.

Once complete, students will have a hanging craft that visually represents everything that makes them special.

Perfect for Back-to-School or Book Studies

This Thelma the Unicorn craft activity is an ideal “get to know you” activity for the first few weeks of school. It shifts the focus from basic facts to what makes each child feel special, helping you build a supportive classroom culture from day one.

If you are doing an Aaron Blabey book study, this activity serves as a perfect anchor point for Thelma the Unicorn. You can use the finished crafts to create a “Unique and Wonderful” bulletin board display that celebrates the diversity of your new class.

Tips for Success and Differentiation

• Classroom Management: To keep the mess to a minimum, have a designated “scrap bucket” at each table for paper trimmings.
• Differentiation for Kindergarten/Prep: For students still developing their writing skills, encourage them to draw pictures of their favourite hobbies or traits. You can scribe a single word underneath to help them make the connection between their art and the written word.
• Differentiation for Grade 1/2: Challenge older students to write full sentences on their circles, perhaps using a prompt like “I am unique because…”

Try Thelma the Unicorn Craft Activity in Your Classroom

If you’re looking for a craft that combines literacy, creativity, and social-emotional learning, this Thelma the Unicorn craft activity is a fantastic addition to your classroom toolkit. It’s simple to prepare, engaging for young learners, and creates a meaningful display that celebrates every student.

You can find the full resource here in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store!

If you try it in your classroom, I’d love to see how it turns out!

Love,
Tess

Looking for more books for your classroom! Have a look at my list of IB read-alouds!