Character mobiles are an interesting way for students to describe characters in a story.  To make a character mobile you will need:

• Index cards
• Hole punch
• String
• Poster board
• Markers
• Scissors

Students draw a character from the story on the poster board.  Prompt the students to make the drawing at least two feet large with arms and legs that are substantial to support the hanging of index cards.  Once the character drawing is complete, the students should color and cut out the drawing.  Ask the students  to select 3-5 words to describe their character.  Each word should be printed on a separate index card.  Students should make sure the words are spelled correctly.  Young children can tell why they picked the word to describe the character.  Older students can go back in the text and find evidence that supports the word choice and record it on the back of the index card.  Once the index cards are complete, they should be hole punched and attached to a string.  The strings should be cut in different lengths to fit the presentation of the mobile.  The students should decide where to attach the top of the string to the character, for example legs, arms, the top of the head, etc.  Once that has been decided, each spot should be hole punched as well.  Students should be given the opportunity to share their character with the class and to display it for others to see.  Character mobiles can be made for tricksters, fairytale and folktale characters as will as famous Americans or non-fiction characters.  For example, if you are studying insects, students can draw an insect, pick words, and write facts about that insect. You can also use this idea for student of the month and have the student make his/her own character mobile picking words that describe them and telling why.                                                    

Idea Source: The Wright Group
Below are three samples of character mobiles without string. This helps to keep them from becoming a tangle concern.