Paper Bag Puppets
A flat paper bag folds into a puppet mouth that flaps open when children talk for it.
By WonderCraft Kids Editorial Team, Editorial team · Updated 10 September 2026
A paper bag puppet works because the fold already does the hardest part: the bag's bottom flap becomes a moving mouth the moment a hand goes inside, so even a rough drawing looks alive when it talks. Children design a face around that fold, then move straight into putting on a voice and a small show, which makes this as much a performance activity as a craft one.
What you need
- 1 small flat-bottomed paper lunch bag per puppet
- Crayons, felt tips or paint
- Googly eyes or paper circles for eyes
- Scraps of paper, wool or fabric for hair and features
- Glue stick or white glue
- Scissors (adult use)
Step by step
- 1
Lay the bag flat with the folded bottom facing up, since that fold will become the puppet's mouth.
- 2
Decide together what the puppet is, an animal, a monster or an invented character.
- 3
Draw or stick the upper part of the face onto the bag above the fold, and the lower jaw onto the fold's underside.
- 4
Add eyes, a nose, hair or ears using paper scraps and glue.
- 5
Leave the glue to dry fully before putting a hand inside.
- 6
Slide a hand in with fingers in the fold and thumb underneath, then open and close the fold to make it talk.
- 7
Put on a short show for someone else in the house once a couple of puppets are ready.
What kids learn
Language and storytelling
Giving a puppet a voice and lines encourages children to practise narrative and dialogue out loud.
Fine motor skills
Sticking small features precisely onto a moving fold takes more control than decorating a flat page.
Social confidence
Performing through a puppet can give a shy child a layer of distance that makes speaking up in front of others feel easier.
Make it easier
Use pre-drawn eye and mouth stickers so your child only positions and presses them on, rather than drawing features freehand.
Make it more challenging
Make two or three puppets with different personalities and write a short two-minute scene for them to perform together.
Safety and supervision
- Adults should handle any cutting of eye holes or shaping for children under five.
- Keep small glued-on pieces such as googly eyes checked for younger siblings who might put them in their mouths.
- Do not let a child wear a paper bag over the head; the puppet is designed for a hand only.
Adult supervision is required for every activity on this site. Read our full child safety guidelines.
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wondercraftkids.com
Paper Bag Puppets for Kids
Ages 3-7 · 25 min · low mess
Ages 3–7 · Low mess
Suggested pin description
Paper Bag Puppets for Kids: A flat paper bag folds into a puppet mouth that flaps open when children talk for it. Ages 3–7, 30 minutes total, low mess. Full step-by-step instructions and a materials list at WonderCraft Kids.
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Frequently asked questions
What size bag works best?+
A standard small lunch-sized paper bag with a flat bottom fold works well for most hand sizes from about age three upward.
Can we reuse the puppet after the glue is on?+
Yes, a paper bag puppet holds up well to repeated play as long as it stays dry and is not stuffed with anything heavy.
