Looking for a fun way to keep your little ones occupied? Making a bear paper bag puppet is an amazing craft for kids and is so much fun for any child, not just little ones. This project is part of the broader category of paper bag puppets, which are suitable for children of all ages. It’s dead simple, uses everyday materials, and the kids will just love how their bear turns out— all cute and cool. Plus, it’s a perfect craft for preschoolers, school projects, or just some family time. This is just one of many fun activities children can enjoy at home or in the classroom.
This sweet bear puppet is a fun addition to storytime or themed parties, and a great way to introduce children to animals and animal crafts. Students can also use this craft in classroom settings for creative learning. We hope you and your children enjoy making this adorable puppet together!
- Introduction to Paper Bag Crafts
- What You'll Need to Make Your Cute Bear Puppet
- Why This Craft Is A Real Winner
- Step 1: Print & Cut Out Your Bear Template
- Step 2: Add the Bear's Features
- Step 3: Attach the Ears & Paws
- Step 4: Get Creative with Decorating
- Step 5: Time to Put On a Show!
- Tips to Make This Craft Go Smoothly
- Fun Ideas to Use Your Bear Puppet
- How to Keep Your Bear Puppet Looking Great
- Why Kids & Parents Both Love This Craft
- Where to Find Your Free Bear Template
- Wrapping Up Your Craft Session
Introduction to Paper Bag Crafts
Paper bag crafts are dead simple and a cracking way for the little ones to let their imaginations run wild while picking up some important skills along the way. One of the best things about knocking up a paper bag bear craft is that it uses basic materials you’ve probably got lying around at home—like a paper bag, some construction paper, a bit of glue, and a pair of scissors. With a free printable template to help out, even the tiniest tots can get stuck in and create their very own adorable bear puppet.
This paper bag puppet craft is more than just a fun activity—it’s a fantastic way for kids to practice their fine motor skills as they chop, glue, and put together their bear. It’s also a great way to get their communication skills going, as the kids can use their finished bear puppet to tell stories, put on a proper show, or just have a blast making their bear chat and play about. Additionally, crafting activities like this help children learn important skills such as problem-solving and patience, making it both fun and educational. Whether you’re planning a teddy bear picnic, a brown bear-themed party, or just looking for a top activity to keep the kids busy, this bear craft is spot on.
Older kids will love adding their own creative touches to the mix, while the preschoolers can focus on decorating and putting together their bear with a bit of help. The possibilities are endless—each paper bag bear can be as unique and cute as your childs imagination allows. Plus, these puppets make a brilliant addition to classroom art projects or family craft time. So grab a paper bag, print out a free template, and see just how much fun your kids can have knocking up their very own bear puppet!
What You’ll Need to Make Your Cute Bear Puppet
Before you dive in, gather the following easy-to-find things:
- A brown paper bag (the lunch size ones work great)
- A free printable bear template (printing the template is easy and convenient—I’ll give you the lowdown on where to find one).
- Some brown cardstock or construction paper
- A glue stick or a bottle of glue
- Scissors (older kids can help with the cutting).
- A black marker
- Some googly eyes (for that extra fun and silly touch)
- Optional: painting, glitter glue, stickers for decorating
Why This Craft Is A Real Winner
This bear paper bag puppet not only looks cute, it’s also super good for the kids to practice their fine motor skills like cutting, gluing, and drawing. And let’s be honest – it’s a fantastic way to get the kids’ imagination going too ! Once the puppet is ready, the kids can use it to tell stories or put on little shows. A great addition to any playtime or classroom activity.
Step 1: Print & Cut Out Your Bear Template
Get straight to the fun by printing out the free bear template on some sturdy paper or cardstock. This template has all the bits for the bear’s ears, paws, nose, and mouth. Older kids can cut out the pieces themselves, but if you’ve got younger ones, you might need to lend a hand. Take your time and be careful not to cut yourself.
Step 2: Add the Bear’s Features
Get your black marker out and draw on some details like the bear’s eyes, nose, and mouth on the paper bag. Then pop in some googly eyes to make the bear look lively and friendly. Finally, glue on the nose and mouth pieces from the template onto the flap of the paper bag, making sure to place them right in the middle of the bear’s face for best results – that’s where the bear’s face is.
Step 3: Attach the Ears & Paws
Glue the ears to the top of the paper bag, making sure they’re even and secure. Next, glue the paws near the bottom of the bag. These details really bring the bear to life and make the puppet look really adorable. If you want, you can even add some little lines on the paws with your marker to give them some texture.
Step 4: Get Creative with Decorating
Now’s your chance to get creative! Use paint, markers, glitter glue, or stickers to add some color and personality to your bear. Maybe a bow tie or a hat? Or some fun patterns on the paws? The choice is all yours. For a unique touch, try using a fork to paint the paper bag—it creates a textured effect similar to a bear’s fur, adding an extra layer of realism to your craft.
Step 5: Time to Put On a Show!
Once the glue is dry and the decorations are all set, your bear paper bag puppet is ready for action. Just slip your hand inside the bag and move the flap to make the bear talk or sing. Put on a puppet show for your family or friends. Reading stories to kids while using the puppet can enhance their comprehension and retention of the stories, making it a fun and educational activity. A fun way to practice communication skills and storytelling.
Tips to Make This Craft Go Smoothly
Don’t miss these helpful tips for making the craft go smoothly.
- Make sure the instructions are simple and the materials are easy to find so the kids don’t get overwhelmed.
- Encourage the kids to add their own ideas and details – it makes the craft way more fun.
- For younger kids, let them focus on decorating while the adults help with the cutting.
- Try turning making the puppet into a game by seeing how fast you can glue or decorate.
- Use this craft to teach the kids about bears, wildlife, or nature during playtime.
Fun Ideas to Use Your Bear Puppet
- Host a teddy bear picnic and invite your puppet as a special guest.
- Create a story together using the puppet as the main character.
- Use it in school projects or show-and-tell to share what you made.
- Make a whole set of animal puppets for a puppet theater at home.
- Give your bear puppet to a friend or family member for a personal touch.
How to Keep Your Bear Puppet Looking Great
- Use sturdy paper and glue to keep all the parts in place.
- Store the puppet in a safe spot to avoid any tears or squished ears.
- If paint or glue gets messy, try cleaning it gently with a damp cloth.
- You can always make a new one – it’s a quick and fun project to do again.
Why Kids & Parents Both Love This Craft
This bear paper bag puppet is super easy, loads of fun, and a great way to bring stories to life. The kids get to practice their skills and feel proud of what they’ve made. Imaginative play through crafting can even spark interest in learning about careers like zoology, as children explore their creativity and curiosity about animals. And the parents will appreciate that it’s easy to set up and clean up afterwards. A win-win all around.
Where to Find Your Free Bear Template
There are loads of free bear puppet templates online. Just Google “free bear paper bag puppet template” and pick one that looks fun and easy to use. Some sites even have step-by-step instructions to make things a bit easier. Scroll to the end of this post for a free template you can download and use for your craft.
Don’t forget to pin this bear paper bag puppet craft to your Pinterest boards so you can easily find it later and share the fun with others!
Wrapping Up Your Craft Session
There’s nothing quite like making a bear paper bag puppet with the kids, getting your creativity sparked and learning something new in the process. It’s a super fun project that just happens to be low on the requirements front : no fancy supplies and it can all be done in a snap – just give it a go and see the beaming smiles on the kids’ faces when they bring their bear puppet to life!
