Learn how to make a DIY Hylian Shield for your Link Costume! For Legend of Zelda fans, this shield adds the perfect touch.
Is your child a fan of the hit video game, Legend of Zelda? If so, you can spice up their Link costume with a DIY Hylian shield. This 3-dimensional shield is realistic, easy to make, and durable. It’s a great costume to wear for Halloween or a cosplay event, and it’s sure to impress!
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a cost effective, realistic shield to pair with your child’s Link costume. Using foam and wooden discs, you won’t need any fancy tools to create this simple DIY shield.
Disclosure: This page includes affiliate links.
Wood Shield and Sword Set for Link Costume
My son wanted to to purchase a shield and sword for his DIY Link Halloween costume. We checked online and in party stores, but were unimpressed with the selection. Most of the options were made of thin, flimsy plastic – and were marked at well over $20 each.
Therefore, it made sense to make our own DIY Hylian shield and Master sword. But, how could we make the sword and shield body – even if we could recreate the design?
Of course, we could carve a sword from wood… or fabricate a shield from EVA foam… but I needed a quicker, simpler project that didn’t require a bunch of special tools.
Thankfully, I found this wood play set online that included 2 shields and 2 swords (yes, two of each!). We knew it would work perfectly for the base of our Hylian Shield and Master Sword template.
Plus, since it is made of wood, I don’t have to worry about it breaking easily – it’s prefect as a durable pretend-play toy!
How to Make a Hylian Shield
This Hylian shield is so easy to make and only requires a few supplies and tools to get it done. Your child is sure to have the most realistic shield to pair with their Link costume. In fact, you can make this costume accessory in just an afternoon.
Supplies Needed
- wood shield
- printable shield template
- printer paper
- foam sheets – gray, red, yellow
- blue craft paint
- round wood discs
- gray craft paint (select a color match to the gray foam sheet)
- hot glue
Tools Needed
- printer
- scissors
- tape
- foam paint brushes
- hot glue gun
Instructions
1. Paint the shield
First, paint the wood shield using a foam paint brush and blue craft paint. This wood shield comes with a generic knight design. Therefore, you will need to apply at least 2-3 coats of blue paint to fully cover the design.
2. Print the template
Next, download the free Hylian Shield template using the instructions, below.
Would you like to download the free printable? Click the button, below, to sign up for our newsletter and gain access to the freebie library. Once subscribed, you will receive an email with instructions to access the library.
If you have any problems signing up, please send an email to loragreen@craftivitydesigns.com, and I will sign you up manually.
Once downloaded, print the Hylian Shield template. Be sure your printer is set to print at 100% or Full Size so that the template will be the correct size.
3. Tape the templates together
There are 4 pages of templates. Using your tape, tape all four of them together.
4. Cut out the gray frame
Check the sizing against the wooden shield, and cut the frame to fit. Then, tape the frame to the gray foam as a template. Cut out the gray foam frame.
5. Cut out the emblems
From page 5 of the template, cut out the shield emblems. Then, tape the emblems to the red, yellow, and gray foam as a template. Cut the emblems out of the foam.
6. Paint the wooden discs
Next, paint your three wooden discs using the foam paint brushes with gray craft paint.
7. Attach all of the pieces
Finally, attach the frame, discs, and emblems to your shield with hot glue.
DIY Hylian Shield
The finished product is a perfectly realistic – and sturdy – Hylian shield! So, kids can have fun pretending to be Link even after Halloween. It’s perfect for dressing up and pretend-play as well.
Of course, now that your kids have a great Hylian Shield, they’ll also need a Link Costume and a Master Sword – so make sure to check out those posts, too!
How to Make a Hylian Shield
Learn how to make a DIY Hylian Shield for your Link Costume! For Legend of Zelda fans, this shield adds the perfect touch.
Materials
- wood shield
- printable shield template
- printer paper
- foam sheets – gray, red, yellow
- blue craft paint
- round wood discs
- gray craft paint (select a color match to the gray foam sheet)
- hot glue
Tools
- printer
- scissors
- tape
- foam paint brushes
- hot glue gun
Instructions
- Paint the wood shield using a foam paint brush and blue craft paint. Apply at least 2-3 coats of blue paint to fully cover the manufacturer's design.
- Download the free Hylian Shield template (available in this post). Print it at 100% or full size.
- Tape all four pages of the shield template together.
- Cut out the gray frame to fit and check that it is sized correctly, by laying it over the wood shield. If it is correct, continue to step 5. If it is not correct, return to step 2 and double-check your print settings.
- Tape the frame to the gray foam as a template and cut out the gray foam frame.
- Cut out the shield emblems from page 5 of the template.
- Tape the emblems to the red, yellow, and gray foam as a template. Cut the emblems out of the foam.
- Paint three wooden discs with gray craft paint.
- Attach the frame, discs, and emblems to the shield with hot glue.
If you liked this easy DIY costume, you might also like:
- How to Make an Easy Ninja Costume
- Easy Pirate Makeup for a Halloween Costume
- How to Make a DIY Ninja Turtle Costume
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