Paper bag puppets are a huge hit with both adults and kids. Kids love making them and adults love how inexpensive and easy the craft is. In fact we have a free download for a horse paper bag puppet template ready for kids to color, cut out and glue to a paper bag as a craft project. As I was writing this post I became curious about whether these simple paper bag puppets were more than meets the eye. I started researching this question and was so surprised at what I found out.
A Chicken Paper Bag Puppet is Fun, But Can It Actually Serve a Purpose?
Yes! Even though kids (of all ages) may look like they are just playing (or messing around) while using a paper bag puppet, they are actually learning some very important skills.
Paper Bag Puppets And Hand Manipulation Skills
Kids are learning important manipulation skills while opening and closing their hands to operate the “mouth” of the paper bag puppet. When I was a volunteer reader at a preschool, I discovered that kids really don’t get the concept of opening and closing their hands to operate a puppet’s mouth until they are about 5 years old. Using a paper bag puppet helps develop that opening and closing skill.
Paper Bag Puppets And Language Development
As kids practice speaking as the puppet, it helps them to form sentences and start to develop the skill of telling a coherent story. Kids can play and experiment with different words and sounds.
Paper Bag Puppets and Emotional Development
Puppets are perfect for shy kids. The puppet can become their friend to whom they can talk to. While being with kids who were using puppets, I noticed that the shy kids’ puppets would talk to other puppets. As those kids developed more confidence, they began to try to talk to the other kids in the class. Eventually they didn’t have to use a puppet.
The MI Stronger Family of Michigan State University Extension has a great handout discussing the importance of paper bag puppets for child development. This handout Playing With Puppets also has great tips about using the puppets.
On Your Next Shopping Spree at the Dollar Store
The next time you’re at the dollar store pick up some small paper bags so you’ll be ready to unleash your kids’ creativity with both art and learning important social and emotional skills.
How to Make a Cute Chicken Paper Bag Puppet
In making paper bag puppets, kids can create their own using their imagination. In case you don’t have access to a lot of different craft supplies, you can use our free template for a chicken puppet. Our template can be downloaded and then printed on one page (to save paper). After it is colored, cut out and glued to a small paper bag it is an adorable chicken paper bag puppet.
What you’ll need:
• Chicken Paper Bag Puppet Pattern PDF
• Paper bag
• Coloring supplies: crayons, colored pencils, etc.
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
How to Make the Chicken Paper Bag Puppet:
Print out pattern page and color.
Cut out all the pieces.
Arrange paper bag so bottom fold is visible. Tape or glue the pattern pieces into place.
Last Step: Have fun playing!
Click below for your free chicken paper bag pattern now!
Need More Animals?
Need more animal paper bag puppets for a play or to just to mix things up? Check out our Free Paper Bag Puppet Patterns for more choices. What are your kids’ favorites? Barnyard animals? Wild animals? Dinosaurs? Unicorns?