Storytelling Crafts That Bring Books to Life

Colorful banner featuring a collection of printable paper bag puppets inspired by children's books. The puppets include a green dragon, zebra, unicorn, panda, sheep, bee, pink bird, elephant, yellow llama, chick, giraffe, and blue chicken. Large teal text at the top reads "Paper Bag Puppet Collection." The Silly Geese Publishing website address appears across the bottom. A blue callout bubble on the right reads, "Paper Bag Puppets: Bees, Chickens, Dragons, Giraffes, Pandas and Unicorns — Oh My!" The image promotes a library of printable paper bag puppet crafts for kids.

Welcome to the Paper Bag Puppet Printables Library—a growing collection of story-based crafts designed to help kids step into books, retell stories, and bring characters to life through hands-on creativity.

Each puppet in this collection connects directly to one of our picture books from SillyGeese Publishing, making it easy to extend learning beyond the final page. These printables are designed for homeschool families, classrooms, libraries, and storytime activities that blend creativity, literacy, and meaningful character lessons.

Whether you’re building a reading center, planning a homeschool morning basket, or just looking for a simple craft that sparks imagination, these puppets are designed to be:

  • Easy to print and assemble
  • Rooted in story and character development
  • Perfect for retelling, acting, and creative play
  • Ideal for preschool through early elementary learners

Scroll through the collection below to explore each puppet craft, then click through for the full printable, instructions, and the book connection behind each character.

🎭 How to Use These Puppet Printables

These puppets are more than crafts—they’re learning tools.

You can use them for:

  • Story retelling and reading comprehension
  • Puppet shows and creative storytelling
  • Social-emotional learning (feelings, choices, kindness)
  • Writing prompts and oral narration
  • Morning baskets or homeschool centers
  • Independent creative play

Each puppet is designed to help children enter the story instead of just reading it.

Paper Bag Puppet Collection:

Bee Paper Bag Puppet

Theme: Courage, bravery, and stepping into new challenges.

Buzz Into Bravery with a Paper Bag Bee Puppet

Chicken / Hen Paper bag Puppets

Bring The Little Golden Hen to Life with This Simple Chicken Puppet Craft
Kids Chicken Puppet Craft Inspired by Little Rosie McClucken Clucks Too Much!

Donkey Paper Bag Puppet

Bring The Little Donkey to Life with a Paper Bag Puppet Craft

Dragon and Unicorn Paper bag Puppets

Theme: This goes with a set of books about Bubbles the Bubble Blowing Dragon

Teaching Empathy Through Books and Play: Unicorn and Dragon Puppets DIY

🐘 Elephant Puppet

Theme: Joy, Letting Your Light Shine, Self Expression

Make Your Own Pink Elephant Puppet – A Fun & Easy Kids’ Book Themed Craft!

Flamingo Puppet

Theme: Exploring hard questions about being different.

Printable Paper Bag Flamingo Puppet for Storytime Fun

Fox Puppet

A Hands-On Storytime Activity: Little Fox Paper Bag Puppet Craft

🦒 Giraffe Puppet

Theme: Learning to ask for help

From Craft Table to Story Time: Meet Your New Favorite Giraffe

🦙 Llama Puppet

Theme: Kind words, anti-gossip, and friendship choices, being comfortable with yourself

Bring the Little Yellow Llama to Life with This Easy Paper Bag Craft

Mouse

Easy Mouse Paper Bag Puppet Craft for Kids (Free Printable Template)

Panda Paper bag Puppet

Theme: Exploring, Curiosity

Make a Paper Bag Panda Puppet (Inspired by Little Panda, What Do You See?)

🐩 Poodle Puppet

Theme: Identity, Seeing beyond the surface, learning to not judge

Make Your Own Fluffy Poodle Puppet – A Fun & Easy Kids’ Craft!