10 Animal Crafts for Kids

Handprint Flamingo Artwork

Ideal for young children practicing their cutting abilities, this handprint project provides bright, hands-on creativity. Invite kids to embellish their flamingos’ surroundings and backdrops as well, and feel free to make several types of animal artwork based on handprints, such as monkeys, parrots, or even octopi.

Handprint Flamingo Artwork from The Best Ideas for Kids

Zebra Puppet from a Paper Bag

Apply black stripes with a stamp onto plain white paper lunch sacks to recreate a zebra’s pattern and make an excellent paper bag puppet. For simple, consistent stripes, choose a wide foam paintbrush, or use a kitchen sponge or foam hair roller if needed. Be sure to add the zebra’s flat paper fringe on top to give your handmade puppet extra character.

Paper Bag Zebra Puppet fromI Heart Crafty Things

Owl Made from a Cardboard Tube

Save that pile of cardboard tubes from the recycling bin for the perfect kids’ craft project. In this activity, empty tubes are transformed into adorable little owls. Add a pair of paper wings and lively eyes to finish the creation.

Cardboard Tube Owl from Kids Craft Room

Farm Animals from Craft Sticks

The creative possibilities are limitless when you have a plain craft stick—or even a dozen—to work with. Let barnyard creatures spark ideas, then invite children to design their own interpretations with washable paint, buttons, and soft pom-poms. Award extra credit if they put on an original puppet performance featuring their handmade farm animals.

Farm Animals from Craft Sticks from Crafts by Amanda

Squirrel Made from a Small Cup

This straightforward squirrel project comes alive with a curled paper tail, so make sure you have enough amber-colored construction paper to complete your squirrels beautifully. Don’t have enough disposable cups on hand? Use a shortened cardboard tube instead for the squirrel’s body (as an added benefit, cardboard tubes are brown already, meaning no untidy painting is necessary).

Tiny Cup Squirrel from The Pinterested Parent

Plastic Animal Artwork

Choose plastic taxidermy to give this traditionally antique decor style a playful twist. Adults should handle the sharp craft knife when slicing a few animal figurines in half, but children can take care of all the painting and gluing, turning these distinctive creations into lively works of art.

Plastic Animal Artwork from Modge Podge Rocks

Monkey Sound Makers

A handmade toy becomes even more enjoyable when it creates a bit of music. Fill two paper plates pressed together with dried beans, then attach them to a wooden craft stick to create the foundation of a DIY noisemaker. From there, it can quickly become a monkey, lion, or mischievous black cat.

Monkey Sound Makers from My Very Educated Mother

Egg Carton Fish

This charming upcycled goldfish project is a playful way to let little ones prepare for having a real pet someday. When children can assist with making and caring for these fragile egg carton-and-tissue paper fish, they might soon be prepared to handle the responsibility of the real thing.

Egg Carton Fish from The Craft Train

Paper Plate Penguins

A plain paper plate can serve as the starting point for countless creations, but shaping one into a slightly unsteady penguin feels imaginative and original. They are particularly adorable when displayed together, so create several for your very own polar flock. Add distinctive details to each penguin (and give them names) to make the activity even more creative.

Paper Plate Penguins from Easy Peasy and Fun

Heart Tiger Craft

Create a cheerful tiger from basic heart shapes cut out of durable construction paper or card stock. This straightforward paper project is an excellent way to introduce children to symmetry—they can fold the sheet, trace and cut half-hearts, then put together a bright, friendly tiger.