Donkey Paper Bag Puppet (Free Printable Template)

Looking for a fun and easy animal craft to make with your little one? This donkey paper bag puppet is a simple project that kids can make with just a few basic supplies and a free printable template.

Whether you’re planning an animal-themed activity, working on farm animals, or just looking for something fun to make together, this adorable puppet is a great way to get kids crafting and playing.

Once your donkey is finished, your little one can use it for puppet shows, storytelling, or imaginative games. There is so much fun to be had with this easy paper bag craft!

Materials

• Paper Bag
• Free Printable Template
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Crayons or markers if coloring template yourself

Instructions

Step 1)

Gather your supplies and prep your surfaces. If you’d like to protect your table from glue and markers, put down a tablecloth.

If you are using the black and white template, have some crayons or markers ready so your child can add their own colors and details. This is also a good time to talk about donkeys, farm animals, or even the letter d if you’re using the craft as part of a preschool learning activity.

Step 2)

Cut out the template pieces.

Depending on the age of your child, you can cut everything out ahead of time or let them help with the cutting. Younger children may need some help with the smaller pieces, while older kids can practice cutting around the shapes themselves.

The printable makes it easy to get all of the pieces ready without having to draw the donkey from scratch.

Step 3)

Glue the template pieces onto the paper bag.

The donkey’s head can go on the bottom of the paper bag, where your hand will make it move. Make sure the head is positioned so that it covers the folded flap without interfering with how the puppet opens and closes.

The body of the donkey can be glued to the side of the paper bag, under the head.

Glue the donkey’s feet near the opening of the paper bag.

Glue the donkey’s arms so they’re sticking out to the sides.

You can glue the tail to the back of the paper bag, or between the donkey’s legs on the front.

Step 4)

Give the glue a little time to dry before playing with your puppet.

Check that the pieces are securely attached, especially around the ears, arms, and feet. If you notice a piece lifting at the edge of the flap, add a small amount of glue underneath it and press it down gently.

If your child colored the printable themselves, they can also add extra details once the glue has dried. They might give their donkey a colorful bow, or add other bright colors to make their puppet their own.

Video Instructions

Prefer video instructions for your crafts? Subscribe to Crafty Kids Play YouTube Channel and watch the full video tutorial for this donkey craft here.

Tips for Making Your Donkey Puppet

Pre-Cut Template

If you are making this craft with preschoolers, you may want to prepare some of the pieces ahead of time. Cutting out the shapes can take a little while for younger children, especially when there are several small template pieces.

For children who are ready to practice cutting, this is an easy activity that gives them a chance to work on their scissor skills while creating something they can actually play with afterward.

Paper Bag Color

You can also use a paper bag with a lighter color if you want the printable to stand out more. If you’re using the black and white template, crayons, markers, or colored pencils can be used to decorate the donkey before gluing everything together.

Template Piece Placement

When placing the head, line it up carefully with the bottom flap. The folded portion of the bag is what allows the puppet’s mouth to move, so you don’t want to glue the head to the part of the bag that needs to remain flexible.

Free Printable Template

Use our free printable donkey template to make your own paper bag donkey craft at home. This template is for personal use or classroom use only. 

If you’d like to share this template with a friend, please send them a link to this article so they can download their own copy.

Learning Ideas

This donkey craft can easily be added to preschool or kindergarten lesson plans. After making the puppet, ask your child questions about where donkeys live, what they eat, and what sounds they make.

You can also turn the craft into a simple letter-recognition activity by talking about the letter d and words that start with the same sound.

For a classroom activity, have each child make their own puppet and then use them to act out a short farm story. This is a fun way to combine crafting with early literacy, language development, and creative play.

Crafting also gives a little learner an opportunity to practice following directions and working through a project from beginning to end.

Benefits of This Craft

Paper bag puppets are a great hands-on activity for young children because they combine making and playing in one project.

Cutting, coloring, gluing, and placing the pieces all give kids opportunities to work on their fine motor skills. Once the puppet is finished, children can use it for storytelling and pretend play, giving them another way to practice communication and creativity.

The finished puppet is also a perfect way to encourage kids to keep playing with something they made themselves.

More Ways to Play

Once your donkey puppet is finished, don’t put it away just yet!

Have your child create a few other farm animals using paper bags and put on a little puppet show. They can make up their own story, act out a favorite book, or simply have a conversation between their different animal puppets.

You can also make a small farm scene using construction paper, cardboard, or toys you already have around the house. This gives children a chance to build a whole little world around their puppet.

If you’re using the craft as part of a themed week, pair it with other printable activities about farm animals, animals that live on a farm, or the letter D.

Final Thoughts

This donkey paper bag puppet is an adorable craft that’s easy to make at home or in the classroom. With a paper bag, some glue, and the free printable, you can create a playful donkey without needing a long list of craft supplies.

It’s also a great project to come back to later. Even if your child doesn’t spend a long time making the puppet, they can spend plenty of time playing with it afterward.

Whether you’re looking for a classroom craft, a preschool project, or just something creative to do together, this cute donkey paper bag puppet is sure to bring some paper bag puppet fun to your day!