Keep your kids engaged for hours with over 30 paper bag crafts for kids. You’ll find fun new puppet ideas, stuffed bag crafts and even a musical instrument!
Paper bags can be found in almost every household. Whether you have kid’s lunch bags, grocery bags, gift bags or retail shopping bags, there are definitely a ton of great craft ideas that you can make with them!
I’m sure you remember covering your school books using brown bags. And maybe you’re kids have made a puppet or two using a lunch bag, but I’m about to show you just how much fun these recycling bin staples can be for kids.
I’ve collected over 30 ideas and divided them into two sections. First you will find 12 adorable puppets your kids have probably not seen before. Then there are 20 other creative ideas that use various types of paper bags. These will add up to hours and hours of fun for your kids. Go ahead and take a look…
Paper Bag Crafts for Kids
Whether you want to use up your bags from the grocery store or create fun new puppets, you will find some awesome ideas on this list!
Paper Bag Puppets
Scroll down below this section to see other fun paper bag crafts for kids.
Chewbacca
Looking for a fun Star Wars craft? This fun Chewbacca paper bag puppet is one that kids are going to love making. What other galactic characters will they enjoy making?
Ninja
Your kids will love that this ninja puppet has repositionable arms and legs! That makes it easier to sneak up on people.
Owls
These owls are made with paper bags and handprint wings! Stef even provides a template so you can easily make this craft on your own.
Pineapple
Learn how to make a handprint pineapple puppet and then head over to the strawberry puppet tutorial. I love the handprint top on this adorable fruit!
Mermaid
This adorable mermaid puppet craft is a great way to use up some scrap craft supplies! I love the scales with the glitter glue outlines.
Bald Eagle
Use a paper bag and color paper to make this adorable eagle hand puppet! If you prefer, you can download the free template to make yours look exactly like the photo.
Frog
Combine a handprint and paper bag craft into one cute frog puppet. I love the curly tongue!
Hippopotamus
This is a combination paper bag and paper plate craft! Those cute teeth? They are mini marshmallows.
Puppy Dog Pals
I don't know about your house, but we love pugs around here! Either way, paper bag puppets are one of the best boredom busters. Kids can make them and then host their own puppet show.
Butterflies
Kids will love making this paper butterfly craft! This project features paper bag bodies and colorful handprint wings.
Other Fun Paper Bag Crafts for Kids
Sea Otter
Look at that cute little baby sea otter! Download the template to make this mamma and baby yourself!
Turkey
If kids make this turkey for Thanksgiving, they could write things that they are grateful for on each turkey feather. Plus it would look great as a decoration!
Acorn Portraits
These stuffed bag acorn portraits are a fun activity for kids. Cut out paper shapes to create a funny face.
Apple
This apple core is able to stand upright because it is attached to a stuffed paper bag! I'm sure kids will think of a bunch of other ideas to make this way.
Origami Bear
Brown bag, googly eyes, a marker and some time for a little fun is all you need for this origami bear craft!
Mini Notebook
This is a great craft for kids and adults! Everyone could use an extra notebook, right? I like that you hand-sew the binding of the book.
Snowy Owl
Add these white paper bag snowy owls to your winter kids craft ideas. I love the book page wings.
Octopus
Paint your paper bags whatever color you want for your silly octopus! The googly eyes are the perfect fun touch.
Mushrooms
Having a woodland themed party? Kids can create these "fun-guys" to place around the yard!
Tiara
Teach your preschooler to use a low temp glue gun with this cute woodland theme tiara craft. They'll love making it their own!
Ice Cream Ornaments
Tissue paper ice cream scoops in a grocery bag cone! These were made as Christmas ornaments, but they would also make great birthday party decorations!
Pretend City
Have your kids create a whole pretend city and then they can have some dramatic play time with little townspeople!
Fireplace
This fireplace craft is perfect for winter. Kid's can use it as a decoration in their playroom, or as a gift bag (with marshmallows and cocoa or a scarf and mittens). Those twig "logs" are perfect!
Animal Masks
Learn how to make these adorable fox, owl and panda masks along with fall leaf crowns!
Grass Crown
What is better than a grass crown to celebrate Earth Day? An upcycled grass crown made from a paper bag!
Turkey Leg
I love this brown bag craft for keeping kids busy on Thanksgiving, or a fun thing to take to a renaissance fair!
Bunny Gift Bag
Looks like this bunny might be hopping away with the loot he's holding! Kids can give a treat to friends in these bags or they could open it and put the eggs they find in it.
Valentine Holder
It may seem weird to turn a paper bag into a bag, but these Valentine holders wouldn't look as cute if they weren't heart-shaped! I like this as an alternative to a Valentine box. Plus, kids can practice lacing/hand sewing.
Maracas
Create these fun noisemakers for Cinco de Mayo or any day you could use a little shaking fun!
Did you enjoy this list of paper bag crafts for kids? Then you should definitely check out these other fun kid crafts you can make using recyclable items: