Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Paper Bag Puppet Kit

Do it yourself paper bag puppet kit


I am so excited to share this idea! I'm excited because this paper bag puppet kit was so simple to put together and R loved it. I'm also happy to say that it was a fun new activity for family time. But I'm crazy thrilled with this activity because it bought me a good two hours of (mostly) uninterrupted time to myself. And as a mother to an only child (or as a mother in general), this is huge!

The Kit


This kit was easy to put together and would make a great gift or rainy day activity. And it was cheap. I basically just gathered bits and pieces from my stash of craft materials and some paper lunch bags. I put it all in a see through container, made a cute little label, and gave it to my son to craft with and explore.


{By the way, if you'd like the above image as a label as well, feel free to print one for your own personal use. Just right click the picture, open in new tab, and print. I printed mine on sticker paper.}

contents of the paper bag puppet kit


Content Ideas

  • crayons, markers, colored pencils
  • googly eyes
  • sequins
  • glue, glue stick, tape
  • pipe cleaners
  • feathers
  • bits of yarn and ribbon
  • buttons
  • scrap paper, construction paper, card stock
  • scissors
  • cotton balls
  • scraps of felt or fabric
  • hole punch
  • paper lunch bags (brown and/or white)

The Play


I gave R the little box full of treasures and let him set up at the kitchen table. I put down an old poster board to catch some of the stray color and glue and I walked away. I went and did some chores and I just let him create. And wow did he create! He was engrossed in this craft for a long time, only stopping occasionally to show me what he had made or to go play with his latest puppet. 

creating a puppet out of a paper bag

That's the beauty of this activity. After they have fun making their puppets, they'll want to play with their new friends. It's arts and crafts, imaginative play, and storytelling all in one!

paper bag puppet play

I walked into R's playroom to find him playing with his alien puppet and his current obsession- the toys from his Safari Ltd. Space TOOB. (More on that later!) My favorite line from his elaborate plot was, "then, it was all left up to the monkey!"

The play and imagination were still going strong by the time R's daddy got home from work, so we made some puppets together as a family. We each kept our puppet a secret until it was finished. It was a nice time filled with guesses and giggles.

This paper bag puppet kit was a big hit. R has already mentioned making a few as presents, and I plan on restocking ours to put up for a rainy day. We'll be having more puppet fun in the future!

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7 comments:

  1. Super Adorable!!! How easy and fun, would be great gifts or even party favors at bday parties :) :)

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  2. Super cute idea! I smiled when I saw R playing using his animals to play with the puppets. =)

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  3. he's so intent on what he's doing! i really love that 1st image :) pinned and shared.

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  4. Paper bag puppets are so fun and easy to make! Love three idea of making a kit for them :-)

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  5. I just stumbled upon this today while looking for a quick design for a Trex paper bag puppet to do with my Tiger Scout Den tonight. This is an AWESOME idea!!! Why didn't I think of that?!! What a great present for a sick friend or maybe we will do them for a scouting service project and make them for the kids at our local children's hospital. What a special gift that would be. Look what you've inspired!!! I will definately pay it forward! Nice Job.:-)
    -Julie from Portland, OR

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  6. I love this organized yet creative play idea! Found it and repinned it on Pinterest. Can't wait to use it. Your little guy is adorable!
    Katherine Collmer, Sandwich, MA www.handwritingwithkatherine.com

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