Easy Pig Paper Bag Puppet Craft (Free Template)

Looking for a cute and easy farm animal craft for kids? This pig paper bag puppet craft turns a simple paper lunch bag into an adorable little pig puppet. With a few basic supplies and a free printable template, kids can cut, glue, and create a new paper pet to play with.

This is a great activity for a preschool classroom, homeschool lesson, or afternoon at home. Kids will have much fun putting their pig together and can use it afterward for pretend play, storytelling, or learning about farm animals. Let’s get started!

Materials

• Scissors
• Glue
• Paper Bag
• Free Printable Template

Instructions

Step 1) Print the Template

Gather your supplies and print off the free printable template. The pig template includes all of the pieces you need to put your puppet together.

If you’re using the black-and-white version, have children color the pieces before cutting them out. Coloring first can make the activity less messy and gives kids a chance to choose how they want their pig to look.

Step 2) Cut Out the Pieces

Carefully cut out all of the template pieces. Younger children may need some help with the smaller pieces, while older kids can follow the simple steps and cut out the pieces on their own.

Cutting around the different shapes is also a fun way to practice scissor skills while creating a cute farm animal.

Step 3) Assemble the Body

Glue the largest pink template piece to the front of the paper bag, leaving the flap free for the head.

A simple paper bag works perfectly for this project. Make sure the paper is lying flat before adding glue so the pieces are easy to position.

Step 4) Add the Pig’s Head

Glue the pig’s head to the bottom of the bag, which is the part that moves when you open and close the puppet.

Make sure the head is lined up with the body before pressing it down. Once the glue has dried, you can move the flap to make your pig talk.

Step 5) Add the Legs

Glue the long pig legs near the top of the body under the head and the short pig legs near the opening of the paper bag to look like back feet.

Once all of the pieces are attached, allow the glue to dry completely. Then your fun pig craft is ready for play!

Video Instructions

Prefer video instructions for your crafts? Subscribe to the Crafty Kids Play YouTube channel and watch the full video instructions for this paper bag puppet craft here.

Tips & Troubleshooting

Use a Glue Stick for Best Results:

A glue stick helps keep this craft neat and prevents the paper bag from getting soggy. It also makes it easier for little hands to apply glue without using too much.

Let Kids Add Their Own Details:

Don’t worry about making every puppet look exactly the same. Kids can add extra spots, draw a collar, decorate their pig, or even give it a name.

They can also use crayons or markers to add details to the face and body. There are lots of fun ways to make each puppet unique.

Help With Cutting When Needed:

Younger children may need help cutting out some of the smaller pieces. Cutting, gluing, and putting the different pieces together gives kids an opportunity to practice fine motor skills while working on a craft they are excited to finish.

Make Some Pig Stories:

Once the puppet is finished, encourage kids to give their pig a personality and make up a story. They can use puppet talk to have their pig interact with other characters or make a short show for family and friends.

For a farm animal theme, you could make several animals and let children create their own little farm. They can even act out a familiar story such as Three Little Pigs during story time.

Pig Paper Bag Craft Template Download

Download the printable template using the link below the next image. The free template includes the pieces needed to make this pig puppet, along with a black-and-white version that children can color themselves.

This template is for personal use or classroom use only and may not be redistributed or sold.

Benefits of This Pig Craft For Kids

Fine Motor Skills Development

Cutting, gluing, tracing, and coloring all help strengthen hand muscles and improve coordination. These activities support fine motor skills that children use for everyday tasks such as writing, drawing, and getting dressed.

Holding scissors, applying glue, and carefully positioning each template piece also gives children practice using their hands and fingers in different ways.

Creative Expression

There are plenty of opportunities for children to make this project their own. Choosing colors, adding spots, decorating the pig, and creating different facial expressions all encourage creativity and self-expression.

Kids can also turn their finished puppet into a character with a name, personality, and favorite things. This makes the craft more personal and gives them another reason to keep playing with it.

Encourages Imaginative Play

Once the craft is finished, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Kids can use their puppets to make up stories, act out adventures, or put on a puppet show for their family.

Paper bag puppets are especially fun because children can move the head while they talk, making the finished craft feel like a character they can interact with.

Learning About Farm Animals

This craft is a simple way to introduce children to pigs and other animals they might find on a farm. Talk about what pigs eat, where they live, what their babies are called, and how farmers care for them.

You can pair the activity with books, songs, videos, or other craft activities about farm life. Children can make several farm animals and use them together for a hands-on learning activity.

A Fun Storytelling Activity

A pig puppet can also be used alongside books and other art projects. After reading a pig-themed story, children can use their puppets to retell the characters and events they remember.

Kids who enjoy Peppa Pig may also have fun creating their own pig characters and stories instead of simply copying a favorite character. This gives them a chance to use their imagination while practicing communication and storytelling.

Final Thoughts

This easy pig puppet is a great way to combine creativity, learning, and play in one simple activity. With a paper lunch bag, a few basic supplies, and a printable template, children can create their own pig while practicing important skills.

Whether you’re planning classroom activities, looking for craft activities at home, or putting together a collection of paper bag crafts, this little pig is an easy project to add to your list. It’s a fun activity for young children, and older kids can add their own details and create stories or puppet shows with their finished crafts.

Follow along with Crafty Kids Play for more great craft projects and printable activities for kids of all ages.