How to Make a Paper Bag Puppet Character

How to Make Awesome Paper Bag Puppets!

Want to bring your stories to life? Paper bag puppets are the way to go! It's a super fun craft for anyone, and it teaches you about storytelling and being creative.

What You'll Need:

• Paper bags: Brown lunch bags are great, but use whatever you have! Different sizes make different sized puppets.
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils: Lots of colors make for a really cool puppet!
• Scissors: To cut stuff out.
• Glue: To stick things together.
• Construction paper: For hair, clothes, and other fun stuff. Textured paper is extra neat!
• Optional extras: Googly eyes, yarn, buttons…get creative!
• Hole punch (optional): For making puppet arms.

Let's Make a Puppet!

1. Dream Up Your Puppet!

First, think about your puppet. What will it look like? A friendly dog? A scary monster? Draw a quick sketch. This helps a lot!

2. Get That Bag Ready!

Open your paper bag and lay it flat. Now you're ready to decorate!

3. Draw a Face!

Time to draw your puppet's face! Eyes, nose, mouth…go wild! Remember to make it look balanced.

4. Add Some Hair (If You Want!)

Cut strips of construction paper or use yarn for hair. Glue it to the top of the bag. Try different colors and styles!

5. Clothes and Accessories!

Cut out clothes and accessories from construction paper. A shirt? Pants? A hat? Anything goes!

6. Add Some Sparkle! (Optional)

Now for the fun part! Googly eyes, buttons, feathers…add anything to make your puppet unique!

7. Make Some Arms (Optional)

Cut long strips of paper or use pipe cleaners for arms. Glue them to the sides of the bag. A hole punch makes this easier.

8. Let it Dry!

Let the glue dry completely before playing with your puppet.

Putting on a Puppet Show!

• Make a Story: Plan a short story before you start. It makes the show much better!
• Practice Your Voices: Practice using different voices for your characters.
• Use Props: A box can be a house, a stick can be a sword! Anything works!
• Talk to Your Audience: Ask questions! Get them involved!
• It's Okay If It's Not Perfect: Handmade puppets are awesome, even if they're a little wonky!

More Puppet Ideas!

• Animals: Make a lion, a giraffe, or a monkey!
• Superheroes: Make a super strong puppet with a cape!
• Monsters: Make a funny or scary monster!
• Fairy Tale Characters: Make Cinderella or a Big Bad Wolf!
• Historical Figures: Make a puppet of your favorite historical person!

Making paper bag puppets is super fun! It's a great way to be creative and tell stories. It's easy, too! So grab your supplies and start making!

For Advanced Puppet Makers:

Ready for a challenge? Try these:

• Moving Parts: Use small fasteners to make mouths that move.
• Real Clothes: Sew or glue fabric onto your puppet for better clothes.
• Different Bags: Try using grocery bags or gift bags for different sizes.
• Lots of Puppets: Make a whole cast of characters!
• Build a Stage: Use cardboard boxes to make a cool stage!

Most importantly: Have fun! Be creative! Your puppets will be amazing!