Learning how to make a simple paper bag puppet is a fun way to practice scissor skills, following directions, and make homemade toys for kids of all ages. Click on the image of the template you want to try, then download and print. Consult the Adobe guide if you have any trouble using the printables.
Paper Bag Pug Dog Puppet Template
Kids who love cute dogs or popular children's book characters like Pig the Pug will love creating their own adorable pug dog puppet. This fun paper bag puppet also features a surprise dog bone in the dog's mouth when you open the flap on the paper bag. Since there are only three pieces in this full color paper bag puppet template, you won't need many supplies and even the youngest toddlers can create the dog puppet.
Dog Puppet Supplies
- Paper bag
- White copy paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Optional: crayons
Dog Puppet Directions
- Print out the pug paper bag template on regular white copy paper.
- Cut out the dog bone, dog head, and dog body.
- Color the dog bone if desired or write your pug dog's name on it.
- Spread glue on the back of the dog bone, lift the paper bag flap, and glue the bone in the center of the area that will be under the flap.
- Spread glue on the back of the dog body and glue it on the portion of the bag that is below the flap. For the best look, glue the top of the dog's neck as close to the flap without being under it as possible.
- Spread glue on the back of the dog head, except the jowls, and glue on the top of the bag flap. You want the jowls to hang over the body a little.
Paper Bag Superhero Cat Puppet Template
Celebrate Halloween or superheroes with a cat in a superhero costume puppet pattern. With only four pieces to cut and glue, this full color template is easy for even the youngest kids. The puppet resembles popular children's book character Pete the Cat and pairs well as an activity to accompany the book Pete the Cat Trick or Pete. You can also use the template to create your own superhero or learn about cats. Kids can fill in their own superhero emblem on the blank space on the cat's chest.
Superhero Cat Puppet Supplies
- Paper bag
- White copy paper
- Scissors
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Glue stick
Superhero Cat Puppet Directions
- Print out the cat paper bag template on regular white copy paper.
- Color the cat, cape, and costume.
- Cut out the heart-shaped tongue, head, body, and cape.
- Spread glue on the back of the red heart, lift the paper bag flap, and glue the heart in the center of the area that will be under the flap.
- Spread glue on the back of the body and glue it on the portion of the bag that is below the flap. For the best look, glue the top of the costumed body as close to the flap without being under it as possible.
- Spread glue on the back of the cat's head and glue on the top of the bag flap.
- Flip the paper bag over so the flap is on the table.
- Make about three lines of glue down the center of the red side of the cape (only go about halfway down the cape), center it on the bag, and glue it red-side down onto the bag.
- When you flip the bag over you should see all of the cat and the red side of his cape. The bottom of the cape should not be attached to the bag.
Paper Bag Turkey Puppet Template
Older kids who are ready to tackle more difficult paper bag puppets can celebrate fall, Thanksgiving arts and crafts, or lessons about animals with a turkey paper bag puppet template. With ten pieces to cut, color, and glue, this difficult paper bag puppet is great for kids in grades one through three.
Turkey Puppet Supplies
- Paper bag
- White copy paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Turkey Puppet Directions
- Print out the turkey paper bag template on regular white copy paper.
- Color each individual piece.
- Cut out all ten pieces including the eyes, beak, legs, feather fan, wings, and wattle.
- Start with the bag flap-side down. Make about three lines of glue from top to bottom down the center of the feather fan.
- Glue the feather fan colored-side down onto the middle of the bag.
- Flip the bag over so it's flap-side up.
- Spread glue on the back of each leg and glue them near the bottom of the bag.
- Spread glue on the wings and glue them near the center of the bag.
- Spread glue on the back of the eyes and glue them near the center of the top of the flap.
- Spread glue on the back of one beak piece, lift the flap, and glue the beak so it's halfway under the flap and halfway sticking out.
- Spread glue on the back of the wattle and glue it so it's touching the beak piece on one side.
- Spread glue on the wide half of the last beak piece and glue so it is half on the top of the flap and half hanging off the bottom of the flap.
Paper Bag Santa Snowman Puppet Template
If you want a unique Christmas paper bag puppet, try the Santa snowman pattern. This snowman wearing a Santa hat includes five large pieces and ten small pieces, so it's best for older kids or those with an adult to cut out the pieces.
Santa Snowman Puppet Supplies
- Paper bag
- White copy paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Santa Snowman Puppet Template
- Print out the Santa snowman paper bag template on regular white copy paper.
- Cut out the head, two body pieces, stick arms, carrot nose, coal pieces, Santa hat, and scarf.
- Spread glue on the bottom body piece, the largest circle, and glue it so the bottom of the circle touches the bottom of the bag.
- Spread glue on the middle body piece, the medium circle, and glue it so the bottom of the circle touches the top of the bottom body piece.
- Spread glue on the back of the scarf and place it so it rests on top of the middle body piece, but not under the flap.
- Glue three of the coal pieces, or small black circles, onto the middle body piece.
- Glue the head piece, or smallest circle, so it's centered on the flap.
- On top of the head piece, add two eyes, the carrot nose, and four coal pieces to form the mouth.
- Glue the Santa hat on top of the head piece.
Paper Bag Magic Egg or Ball Puppet Template
Kids can catch their own fantasy characters in a magic egg or ball puppet with this fun template. Since the egg or ball features only two pieces, it's easy for kids of any age to use. With the use of glue dots, kids can change out the creatures and characters they catch. There are three fun fantasy characters included in the template.
Magic Egg or Ball Puppet Supplies
- Paper bag
- White copy paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Glue dots
- Ruler
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Magic Egg or Ball Puppet Directions
- Print out the paper bag template on regular white copy paper.
- Color the ball in your own design or to resemble a regular Poké Ball. You can also use it as a magic egg to house characters that resemble Hatchimals.
- Find and mark the center of the paper bag on the flap side.
- Spread glue on the back of the bottom ball piece and glue so the bottom of the ball touches the bottom of the bag.
- Set the top ball piece on the bag so it's on top of the flap and the bottom of this piece matches up with the top of the other piece.
- Make note of how much of the top ball piece will actually be on the flap. Only glue this portion of the top piece so you don't glue the entire top half of the ball to the bag. You need to be able to open the flap still and move the top half of the ball away from the main body of the bag.
- Color and cut out the mini fantasy characters.
- Put your hand inside the bag and open the flap.
- Place a glue dot in the center of the bag under your open flap and add a character on top of the glue dot.
- Change out your character by taking the current one off the glue dot and adding a new one.
Ideas for Customizing and Using Paper Bag Puppets
While you can use these paper bag puppet templates as is for paper bag crafts, you can also make them more unique or personal and use them in creative ways.
- Add a funny piece under the flap that will surprise people when you open the puppet.
- Color background images on the parts of the bag that are left open after you've glued on the template.
- Make a funny Picasso-style puppet by gluing the pieces on randomly in the wrong order.
- Use the paper bag puppet as a candy bag for holiday parties so you can play with it before gathering your goodies and after you've eaten them all.
- Have kids write out skits in small groups to perform using their paper bag puppets.
- Use larger paper grocery bags and add on a few character templates to create fun paper bag puppet groups.
Paper Bag Puppet Fun
Like sock puppets and other puppet crafts, paper bag puppets are great toddler learning activities and help develop important skills even for older kids. Grab a paper bag, ruler, paper, and a pencil to create your own custom templates.
