Over the years, we have done several class projects. This year, I was looking for living wax museum project ideas for my youngest daughter’s last project in elementary school.
Every year, the 5th graders put on a living wax museum of historical figures. Each student researches their chosen historical figure and creates a display about them.
The poster/display usually contains the historical figure’s name, photos, a timeline of their life, and some facts about them and their achievements.
On the day of the museum, the students dress up like their historical figures. As you walk around the room, you can step on any students’ ‘red button’ and they’ll give you a quick speech about their chosen historical figure.
Here are some wax museum project ideas for your 5th grader:
Wax Museum Project Ideas for Girls
Florence Nightingale
Lainey was Florence Nightingale for her 5th grade wax museum. We put together the DIY costume in one evening using an apron, acrylic paint, and a black dress.
ReliBeauty Pilgrim Costume for Girls Colonial Girl Costume Dress Round neckline,2T-3T/100BesserBay Child Girls Florence Nightingale Costume Colonial Pilgrim Victorian Pioneer Prairie Blue Floral Dress with Bonnet 7-8 Years
Amelia Earhart
Lyvi was Amelia Earhart in her living wax museum. We ordered the hat from Amazon, but it was way too hot for a jacket, so she just wore a white collared shirt and black pants.
Happy Will Pilot Aviator Fleece Warm Hat Cap with Earmuffs for Kids Toddlers BrownAmelia the Aviator Costume, One Color, Large
Ruth Handler
ADXCO 6 Pieces 100 Days of School Old Lady Wig Costume Cosplay Set Grandma Wig Glasses with Chain Cane Necklace BraceletWDIRARA Girl’s 2 Piece Outfits Plaid Tweed Half Sleeve Jacket and Ruffle Mini Skirt Set Black and White 9Y
Cleopatra
fun shack Cleopatra Costume For Girls White Halloween Book Character Costumes for Kids XLEgyptian Mask Costume Accessory – One Size, Multicolor – 1 Pc.
Helen Keller
Girl’s Prairie Dress Costume X-LargeKid’s Helen Keller Costume X-Large
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Costume for Girls MediumCalifornia Costumes Girl’s Aerospace Mathematician Child Costume X-Large
Frida Kahlo
Vividsun Frida Kahlo Mexican Rose Flower Crown Day of The Dead Floral Crown (Colorful)California Costumes Inspired Artist Child Costume Medium size 8-10
Rosie the Riveter
Rubie’s Girl’s Princess Paradise Rosie the Riveter Costume, LargeWe Can Rosie Costume Kit (We Can Do It Kit -27
Jane Austen
Fun World Colonial Girl Costume, Medium 8-10, MulticolorYejue Royal Colonial Little Girl Child Princess Costume Hamilton Elizabeth Schuyler One-piece Cosplay Kid Victorian Dress
Clara Barton
Smiffys WW1 Nurse CostumeCalifornia Costumes Girls War Nurse Child Costume White/Gray, Extra Large
Sacajawea
California Costumes Native American Princess Girl Costume Large (10-12), BrownCalifornia Costumes Princess Wildflower Indian Girl Child Dress L 10-12 NIP Costume, Brown
Betsy Ross
Rubie’s Child’s Deluxe Betsy Ross Costume, LargeBetsy Ross Kid Costume Small
Annie Oakley
Girl’s Annie Oakley Cowgirl Costume X-LargeGirl’s Annie Oakley Costume Large
Sally Ride
Neilyoshop NASA Pilot Costume Kids Astronaut Costume for Boys Girls Space Pretend Dress Up Cosplay Birthday Gifts White 5-7 YearsKids Blue Jumpsuit Costume NASA X-Large
Anne Frank
Smiffys World War II Evacuee Girl CostumeArshiner Girls Dresses Peter Pan Collar Dress Solid a Line Navy Blue Tunic Uniform Dresses for Girls Size 12
Wax Museum Project Ideas for Boys
Albert Einstein
Lystaii Old Man Costume Set Mad Scientist Wig Glasses Mustache Eyebrows for Dressing up Grandpa Costume Halloween Party Cosplay SetSATINIOR 6 Pieces Mad Scientist Costume Set 100th Day of School Mad Scientist Wig White Lab Coat Mustache Goggles for Adult (Size: 110-120)
Leonardo Davinci
Kid’s Leonardo da Vinci Costume Small10 Pcs Fake Mustache Beards Old Man Mustache Costume for Kids Halloween Funny Beard Facial Hair Costume Accessories with Adjustable Elastic Rope for Men Kids Party Cosplay Supplies, 10 Styles
George Washington
Forum Novelties Deluxe George Washington Costume, LargeOne Size Fits Most Child Size Colonial Powdered Wig – Great for Halloween or Pretend Play! White
Jackie Robinson
Outerstuff Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers #42 Youth Cool Base Home Jersey (Youth X-Large 18/20) WhiteOuterstuff Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers #42 Youth Boys Size 8-20 Player’s Name & Number Jersey White (Boys Large 14/16)
Mark Twain
Boys Old Man Costume Kit StandardREU GLOBAL Old Men Kit Grey white Wig Grandpa Glasses Moustache Cosplay Set for Boys and Teens Party Costume Wigs (M, old man set 01)
Jim Henson
Kermit Frog Puppet with Puppets Control Rod & 50 Pcs Kermit The Frog Puppet Stickers, Hand Kermit Puppet Soft Stuffed Plush Toy, Gift Ideas for Boys & Girls – 24 InchesCalifornia Costumes Jesus Wig and Beard Child Costume, Acc
Napoleon Bonaparte
Forum Napoleon Hatflatwhite Boy’s Napoleon Costume (7-9Years), Navy ,Red,,yellow
Daniel Boone
ReliBeauty Kids Cowboy Costume for Boys Cosplay Costumes Birthday Party Christmas Halloween Dress up Gift for Kids 5 Sets,Red 8/140ArtCreativity Faux Fur Raccoon Hat for Kids, Animal Coonskin Cap with Faux Fur Tail, Wild Frontiersman Davy Crocket Costume Accessory, Soft Plush Polyester Fabric
Theodore Roosevelt
Big Mo’s Toys Wizard Glasses – Round Wire Costume Glasses Accessories For Dress Up – 1 PairForum Novelties Theodore Roosevelt Costume, Small
Walt Disney
Yewong Kids Old Man Costume Set Grandpa Dress Up Accessories Including Glasses Suspenders Bow Tie Moustache and Eyebrows for Halloween Costume Cosplay (Beige Suspender Set)Rabtero Kids Old Man Costume, 100th Day of School Costume for Boys, Grandpa Cosplay Costume Set Kit with Accessories. Large 8-10
King Tut
King Tut Egyptian Costume Headband Headpiece for Adults and KidsDSplay Boy’s Egyptian priest Costume (10-12Y)
Stan Lee
4 Sets Old Man Moustache and Eyebrows Kits, Moustache and Eyebrows Stick on Fake Eyebrows and Moustache Kit for Old Man Dress Up, Grandpa Costume Accessories (Grey, White)COASION Classic Polarized Small Aviator Sunglasses for Kids Baby Girls Boys Age 2-10 50MM (Gold Frame/Grey Lens)
Orville Wright
Boys American Aviator Costume MediumDress Up America Derby Hat – Derby Bowler Hat – Black Bowler Hat Costume (Children)
James Madison
Miss U Hair Child Colonial Wig Kids White Colonial Powdered Wig Founding Father Wig Halloween Cosplay WigChild Colonial Peruke Wig Standard
Abraham Lincoln
California Costumes Child Honest Abe Beard Standard BlackRubie’s Child’s Forum Abraham Lincoln Costume, Large
I hope these living wax museum ideas get you started on making this your child’s best school project yet! (You can find our turkey disguises and solar system project ideas here!)
