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3-4 years30-40 minEasy

Paper Bag Puppet Show

Draw a character on an intact paper lunch bag using age-labeled crayons or markers, then use it for a short supervised pretend scene.

Age Safety Note

Keep paper bags away from a child's face. Use drawn features instead of yarn, glue, scissors, or small decorations. Supervise closely, inspect the bag, and stop if it tears or sheds pieces.

What This Activity Offers

Decorating a paper bag and giving it a voice can turn the finished craft into a short pretend scene. A caregiver can model a story or follow the child's idea; responses will differ.

Materials Needed

  • Paper lunch bags

    Brown bags work best—the fold at the bottom becomes the puppet's mouth.

  • Age-labeled crayons or markers

    Draw all features directly on the bag; do not add loose decorations.

Prep Tips (Before You Start)

  • 1Check the bag for tears, staples, handles, or other parts that could come loose.
  • 2Open a paper bag and demonstrate how the fold becomes a 'mouth' that opens and closes when your hand is inside.
  • 3Set up a protected work surface and keep the bag away from the child's face.
  • 4Store crayons and markers according to their age label when they are not in use.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. 1Discuss who the puppet will be: 'Do you want to make a person, an animal, or a monster?'
  2. 2Show how the bag's fold becomes a mouth. Draw eyes on the flap and a tongue inside the fold.
  3. 3Add facial features: nose, eyebrows, eyelashes, cheeks—whatever feels right for the character.
  4. 4Draw the character's eyes, mouth, and details directly on the bag with age-labeled crayons or markers.
  5. 5Keep the puppet away from the child's face, and stop if the bag tears or sheds pieces.
  6. 6Invite the child to give the drawn character a name or voice if they wish.
  7. 7Put your hand inside the puppet and bring it to 'life.' Use a silly voice! Have a conversation with your child's puppet.
  8. 8Keep the play area clear and have the adult hold the bag puppet during play.

Fun Variations to Try

  • •Make matching animal puppets and act out animal stories.
  • •Create puppets based on favorite book characters.
  • •Make holiday puppets: Santa, the Easter Bunny, a Thanksgiving turkey.
  • •Tell a short pretend scene with the paper bag held by an adult.

Cleanup Tips

  • Discard a torn or damp paper bag and remove scraps from the play area.
  • Store the finished bag and art materials out of reach when play ends.
  • Clean the work surface according to the marker product directions.
  • Check the puppet for damage before any later use.

Additional Tips

  • A caregiver can model a short scene and follow the child's idea.
  • Keep the paper away from the child's face during pretend play.
  • Use spoken descriptions instead of adding small decorative parts.
  • Stop if the child mouths or tears the bag.

References & Further Reading

General background resources for readers. They do not verify or test any specific activity, material, or setup described on this site.

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