How to Make Animal Puppets Out of Paper Bags
Paper bag puppets are inexpensive and simple to make. The puppets fire a child's imagination, and can provide hours of fun and entertainment. Making paper bag animal puppets requires just a few supplies. With a basic design you can create anything from cats and dogs to a giraffe or elephant.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Paper lunch bag
- Paint
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Markers
- Glue
- Cotton balls
- Pipe cleaners
- Glitter
- Feathers
Instructions
-
-
1
Paint the bag before creating your puppet. Allow it to dry before you begin the face.
-
2
Cut ears out from construction paper using scissors. For bunny ears, the shape should be elongated with points at the top. A bear would have short, rounded ears cut in a semi-circle.
-
-
3
Cut two, small pink pieces of the same shape. Glue one to the bottom center of each ear.
-
4
Place a dot of glue on the bottom front of each ear; place it on the back of the bag at the top. The front of the bag is where the bag folds. The end where the bag opens will be the bottom of your puppet.
-
5
Create the eyes with a marker. Eyes might also be glued on using buttons or cut-outs.
-
6
Glue or draw the eyes just above the lower edge of the fold at the front of the bag. Don't place the eyes too far up the bag.
-
7
Cut teeth out from the construction paper. This is optional in most cases. A rabbit would require long, rectangular teeth, but a dog could have a tongue.
-
8
Apply a dot of glue to the top-front edge of the teeth or tongue. Attach them under the fold at the front of the bag.
-
9
Cut a nose out of construction paper. Cut triangular shapes for most animals; circles work well for bears and dogs. If you're making an elephant, cut out a waving "S" shape from grey construction paper.
-
10
Apply a dot of glue to the back of the nose. Attach it just under and between the eyes.
-
11
Draw whiskers on either side of the nose. You might also cut long, thin strips of black construction paper, or use pipe cleaners. Glue them onto your puppet.
-
12
Finish with added touches. Glue on feathers for birds, attach construction-paper legs, draw on spots or add a tail to the back of the bag.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Personalize your animal using glitter or beads. Old clothes can be cut to add dresses or other clothing to your paper bag puppets.
References
- Photo Credit bag of plums. image by bluefern from Fotolia.com
