Paper Crafts for Children

When you get something in one of those paper bags that has a nice square bottom – be sure to keep it, as that is half way to becoming a cute puppet. This basic technique can be used to create all sorts of critters – just vary the details to change the dog to a rabbit, elephant, martian, etc.

	Start with the paper bag folded flat, have the section that would be the bag bottom when it is fully opened, facing up – this is the side that gets the most decorating attention. We have also folded the corners of the bag bottom in to round out the ‘face’ a little.
	Add on the details for your character. At this stage I thought this puppy was looking OK, but the kids had other ideas.
	I am very glad that they did take over – it is a much improved puppet pooch. I hope you can see on this picture how some of the features like the ears and front legs are attached to the sides of the bag.

The classic finger puppet has to be a papier mache one! It is pretty simple to make as long as you are not too fussy about details.

	The basic puppet is made with a roll of paper for the neck and then just a scrunched up ball of paper coated with a few stips of glued paper to make the rough head shape.
	Paint on some features.
	And for the simplest of puppet bodies just attach a piece of fabric like a scarf, to the neck with a rubberband. Simple is good!

Dropping a bit of a huge hint about what the next Paper Crafts for Children newsletter is all about by posting this example from it.

But we all have had such fun and made so many of this particular theme that I had to show some of them here too. This one my son whipped up after seeing the ones I had made. I love his monster with all those eyes.

Simple to make, draw a picture of your character on some lightweight card – just make sure there is enough room at the bottom for two finger holes.

Cut the two finger holes, pop some fingers through to become the puppets legs and start the show.