Paper Bag Puppet
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Description
Your child decorates a small paper bag into any character they choose - an animal, a person, a creature - then slips a hand inside and gives it a voice. The making is a short craft; the play that follows often runs much longer.
What to prep
- paper_bag
- crayons
- scissors
- tape
- paper_scraps
Play guide
- 1Give your child a small paper bag. Let them look at it for a moment and ask what it wants to become.
- 2Set out markers or crayons and paper scraps. Let them decorate the bag freely - face on the flat bottom of the bag, details on the sides.
- 3If they want to add features (ears, hair, a hat), cut paper scraps together and tape or glue them on.
- 4Show them how to slip a hand inside so the bag opens and closes like a mouth when they work their fingers.
- 5Step back. The puppet will introduce itself in its own time.
Success signals
Your child decorates the bag with a clear intention (face, character). They put their hand inside and make the puppet "talk" or move without being prompted. The puppet gets a name or a personality within the first few minutes
If it's tricky
Child doesn't know what character to make: Offer two or three options - "animal, monster, or person?" Child decorates freely but then doesn't engage in puppet play: Demonstrate with your own puppet and give it a problem to solve ("my puppet is lost - can yours help?"). The bag tears while decorating: Tape a second bag over it or offer a fresh one. Glue doesn't hold heavier paper scraps: Use tape instead.