There are two types of people in this world: those who stick to the same decor scheme for years on end, and those who change their throw pillows every week. Most of us, however, fall happily in the middle—we love a good refresh when the seasons change. As the winter frost melts away and the first buds of green appear, our homes deserve a little "spring awakening" too. There is something incredibly refreshing about swapping out heavy winter textures for the light, airy, and colorful vibes of spring. It makes a space feel new, inviting, and alive. Contrary to what many people think, you don’t have to go for a complete overhaul of your furnishings or spend a fortune at high-end decor stores. Even small touches can have a massive impact. The most personal and budget-friendly way to achieve this? DIY Wall Hangings. If you are looking for inspiration to brighten up your walls with flowers, rainbows, birds, and more, you have come to the right place. We have curated a list of 20 DIY Wall Hangings for Spring that range from easy paper crafts to elegant floral arrangements. Why DIY Your Spring Decor? Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about why making your own decor is better than buying it. Cost-Effective: You can often use materials you already have, like fabric scraps, old frames, or twigs from the yard. Customization: You pick the color palette. If your living room is teal and grey, you can make a wreath to match perfectly. The "Hythe" Factor: There is a sense of accomplishment and coziness that comes from displaying something made by hand. The Floral Collection: Bringing the Garden Indoors Spring is synonymous with blooming flowers. These ideas bring that botanical beauty to your vertical spaces. 1. The Felt Flower Wreath Wreaths aren't just for Christmas! One of the easiest ways to bring a seasonal change to your decor is with a wreath. The Idea: Purchase a Styrofoam or straw wreath form. Cut leaf and petal shapes out of high-quality wool felt in shades of mustard yellow, blush pink, and sage green. The How-To: Roll the felt strips to create rosettes and glue them densely onto the wreath form. The texture of felt adds a softness that is perfect for the transition from winter to spring. 2. Minimalist Embroidery Hoop Florals We are big fans of embroidery hoops because they are versatile and cheap. You don't even need to know how to embroider to make this! The Idea: Take a regular wooden embroidery hoop. Instead of filling the middle with fabric, stretch a piece of tulle or sheer organza across it. The How-To: Hot glue high-quality faux flowers (peonies or ranunculus work well) to the bottom rim of the hoop. The sheer fabric makes the flowers look like they are floating on the wall. 3. Hanging Test Tube Vases This is for those who love real flowers. The Idea: Create a propagation station that doubles as art. The How-To: Mount a piece of reclaimed wood to your wall. Attach 3-5 metal clamps (the kind used for piping) and slide glass test tubes into them. Fill with water and place a single stem of a tulip or daffodil in each. It’s living, breathing wall art. 4. Pressed Flower Floating Frames The Idea: Capture the delicate nature of early spring blooms forever. The How-To: Collect wildflowers and press them in a heavy book for a week. Buy "floating frames" (glass on both sides) and arrange the dried flowers inside. Hang them in a grid pattern of 4 or 6 for a gallery wall effect. 5. The "Falling Flowers" Backdrop The Idea: Perfect for a brunch party or a statement wall behind a sofa. The How-To: Use clear fishing line and needle-thread artificial flower heads (remove the stems). Hang these lines from a rustic branch or a wooden dowel. It creates a curtain of rain, but made of flowers! The Fauna Collection: Birds, Bees, and Butterflies Spring means the return of wildlife. Celebrate the chirping birds and buzzing bees with these whimsical projects. 6. Twig and Paper Bird Art Spring means the birth of baby birds as parents return home for warm weather. This project combines nature walks with crafting. The Idea: A 3D piece of art featuring a branch and paper birds. The How-To: Go to the park and find a sturdy, interesting-looking twig. Mount it inside a shadow box frame or directly on a canvas. Cut bird silhouettes out of patterned scrapbook paper and glue them so they appear to be "perched" on the twig. 7. The Little Red Hen Collage Let the kids get together with all their craft supplies for this one! The Idea: A textured, mixed-media collage representing farm life in spring. The How-To: Use a canvas board. Let kids glue down layers of tissue paper, fabric scraps, buttons, and seeds (like lentils or beans) to create the shape of a hen or a rooster. It’s colorful, messy, and full of character. 8. 3D Paper Butterfly Swarm The Idea: To make it look like a kaleidoscope of butterflies is flying up your wall. The How-To: Use a butterfly punch or Cricut machine to cut 50-100 butterflies out of cardstock in varying shades of a single color (e.g., ombre pink). Fold their wings up slightly and attach them to the wall using poster putty in a swooping, curved formation. 9. Wire Bird Sculptures The Idea: Industrial meets farmhouse chic. The How-To: Use flexible black crafting wire. Bend the wire into the continuous line outline of a bird or a bunny. Hang these lightweight wire drawings on the wall with small nails. They cast amazing shadows when the sun hits them! The Fiber Arts: Boho & Macrame Texture is just as important as color. These projects add warmth and a "bohemian spring" vibe to your home. 10. Pastel Yarn Tassel Garland The Idea: A simple garland that drapes over a mirror, a window, or a bed frame. The How-To: Make large, fluffy tassels using yarn in spring pastel colors—mint green, baby blue, lilac, and lemon yellow. String them onto wooden beads and hang. 11. The Rainbow Rope Hanging Rainbows are the ultimate symbol of spring showers bringing flowers. The Idea: A wrapped rope rainbow. The How-To: Take thick cotton rope and cut 4-5 arched lengths. Wrap each length tightly with different colored embroidery floss or yarn. Glue the arches together to form a rainbow. Attach a loop and hang. 12. Macrame Plant Hanger (Wall Mounted) The Idea: Bring greenery up to eye level. The How-To: If you are new to macrame, look up a simple "square knot" tutorial. Create a holder for a small terracotta pot and hang it from a piece of driftwood. Plant a trailing ivy or a pothos for that lush, jungle vibe. 13. Woven Circular Weaving The Idea: A round "sun" shape made of yarn. The How-To: Use a round cardboard cutout as a loom. Warp the loom like a bicycle wheel and weave thick, chunky wool in and out. Add ribbons and lace for varied textures. Rustic & Upcycled Ideas Do you have leftover materials? Turn them into treasure. 14. Painted Wood Slice Art The Idea: Rustic cabin vibes meets spring floral. The How-To: Buy a large wood slice (with bark) from a craft store. Paint the center with chalkboard paint to write "Welcome Spring," or hand-paint a bouquet of lavender on the raw wood. 15. The Fabric Scrap Rag Wreath The Idea: A zero-waste project that looks fluffy and inviting. The How-To: Cut old spring-colored t-shirts or sheets into strips (approx 1 inch wide and 6 inches long). Tie them onto a wire wreath frame using a simple knot. Push them close together until the frame is completely covered and fluffy. 16. Upcycled Mason Jar Sconces The Idea: Farmhouse staples that hold fresh blooms. The How-To: mount a mason jar to a piece of stained wood using a hose clamp. Fill the jar with fairy lights or fresh hydrangeas. 17. The Garden Hose Wreath The Idea: Quirky, fun, and perfect for a mudroom or front door. The How-To: If you have an old green garden hose that leaks, coil it up into a circle. Zip tie it together. Decorate with a pair of gardening gloves and some faux yellow tulips. Paper Crafts & Printables Sometimes, the simplest materials yield the best results. 18. Giant Paper Dahlia The Idea: A massive, single flower that takes up a whole wall section. The How-To: Roll cones out of colored paper. Glue the cones onto a cardboard circle base, starting from the outside and working in. As you get to the center, make the cones smaller. The result is a stunning, geometric flower. 19. Watercolor Printables on Clipboards The Idea: An interchangeable art gallery. The How-To: Hang a grid of 6 or 9 wooden clipboards on the wall. Search online for "free spring botanical printables" or "watercolor bird prints." Print them out on cardstock and clip them up. When summer comes, you can swap them out in seconds! 20. Origami Crane Mobile The Idea: A mobile that moves with the spring breeze coming through the window. The How-To: Fold 20-30 origami cranes using floral origami paper. String them on fishing line and attach them to a branch. Hang this on the wall (it acts as a wall hanging even though it is mobile). Tips for Hanging Your Spring Decor Since seasonal decor is temporary, you don't want to ruin your walls with nails. Command Hooks: The best friend of DIYers. Use the clear ones for wire art and the heavy-duty ones for wreaths. Washi Tape: For lightweight paper crafts (like the butterflies), rolled painter's tape or Washi tape is safe for paint. Existing Fixtures: Hang wreaths over existing mirrors or picture frames to layer your decor without making new holes. Conclusion Decorating for spring doesn't require a degree in interior design or a massive budget. It requires a little imagination, some colorful materials, and a willingness to try something new.
education

25 DIY Paper Bag Puppets for Pretend Play: The Ultimate Guide to Creative Storytelling

by SHAHII

It is always magical when you can think of a fun way to use an everyday item—it is like looking at the world with brand-new eyes! Take a plain brown paper lunch bag, for instance. To most adults, it is just a vessel for sandwiches or groceries. But to a child with an imagination, that flapping rectangular bottom is a mouth waiting to speak.

With just a little glue and creativity, that humble bag can be transformed into a princess, a roaring lion, a space alien, or anything else by making DIY Paper Bag Puppets!

Today, we have rounded up our best ideas for paper bag puppets that are perfect for kids to use in pretend play. Whether you are a teacher planning a unit on wildlife, a parent looking for a rainy day activity, or a librarian organizing storytime, this list has you covered.

Why Paper Bag Puppets Are the Perfect Craft

Before we dive into the list of 25 ideas, let’s talk about why this specific craft has stood the test of time.

  1. Affordability: You can buy a pack of 100 brown or white paper lunch bags for just a few dollars.
  2. Motor Skills: Manipulating the bag to make the puppet “talk” helps develop hand muscles and coordination in young children.
  3. Communication: Puppets are incredible tools for shy children. They allow kids to express feelings and practice dialogue through a character, which often feels safer than speaking directly.
  4. Recycling: It is a fantastic way to upcycle clean grocery bags or lunch sacks.

Essential Materials for Your Puppet Workshop

To get started, set up a “Puppet Station” with these basics. You don’t need expensive supplies; scraps work best!

  • Paper Bags: Standard size (roughly 5×10 inches).
  • Cardstock/Construction Paper: For eyes, ears, and accessories.
  • Adhesives: Glue sticks for paper, liquid glue for heavier items.
  • Scissors: Safety scissors for kids, sharp ones for adults.
  • Embellishments: Googly eyes, yarn (for hair), pipe cleaners (for whiskers), buttons, and markers.

The Ultimate List: 25 DIY Paper Bag Puppets

We have categorized these into themes to help you plan your puppet show!

Theme 1: Woodland & Forest Animals

Perfect for teaching kids about nature and habitats.

1. The Busy Beaver This is a classic Canadian symbol! Use dark brown paper for the body. The key feature here is the tail—cut a large oval from cardstock and draw a “cross-hatch” pattern on it to look like scales. Don’t forget two big white rectangular teeth sticking out from the flap!

2. The Curious Badger Badgers are fascinating creatures with distinct black and white facial markings. Cut a white stripe to go down the center of the bag’s face and add black patches over the eyes. This is a great craft to pair with the book The Wind in the Willows.

3. The Red Panda The Red Panda soared in popularity after the 2022 movie Turning Red. Use reddish-orange paper or paint for the body. Use white paper to create the distinct markings on the ears and cheeks. Add a striped tail to the back of the bag for extra cuteness.

4. The Wise Old Owl Use a white or brown bag. Cut out dozens of colorful paper circles to glue onto the body as “feathers.” The most important part is the eyes—make them huge and wide using yellow and black paper.

5. The Sly Fox Use orange paint or paper. Cut out triangular ears and a triangular snout. A fluffy white chest made of cotton balls or shredded paper adds a nice texture.

6. The Grumpy Bear A brown bear is a staple for stories like Goldilocks. Use rounded ears and a lighter brown snout. You can make him happy or grumpy depending on how you draw the mouth on the flap.

Theme 2: Prehistoric & Mythical Creatures

Spark the imagination with creatures that don’t exist (or no longer exist).

7. The Roaring T-Rex Dinosaur Studies show that kids obsessed with dinosaurs often have high intelligence! Create a green T-Rex. The secret to a good dino puppet is the mouth—when the child lifts the flap, glue a red tongue and scary white zig-zag teeth inside so they appear when the dino “roars.”

8. Fire-Breathing Dragon Paint the bag green or purple. Add triangles along the side for spines. Glue strips of red, orange, and yellow tissue paper inside the flap. When the puppet opens its mouth, “fire” shoots out!

9. Magical Unicorn White bags work best here. Use yarn in rainbow colors for the mane and tail. Twist a piece of gold pipe cleaner or use glitter paper for the horn. Add big eyelashes for a glamorous look.

10. Three-Eyed Alien There are no rules in space! Paint the bag neon green or silver. Add three (or four, or five!) googly eyes. Use pipe cleaners as antennas sticking out of the top.

11. The Friendly Monster Great for Halloween or just for fun. Use bright fur (faux fur fabric) or fuzzy felt to cover the bag. Give the monster mismatched eyes and silly teeth.

Theme 3: Farm & Pets

Relatable animals that toddlers love to mimic.

12. The Spotted Cow Start with a white bag and let the kids cut out irregular black shapes to glue all over. Add a pink oval for the snout and horns at the top.

13. The Pink Pig Paint the bag pink. Use a button or a bottle cap for the nose (snout). Curl a pink pipe cleaner for the tail and glue it to the back.

14. Floppy-Eared Dog Brown, black, or spotted—any dog works! Cut long, tear-drop shapes for ears and glue them only at the top so they flop around when the puppet moves.

15. Whiskered Cat Cut triangle ears. Use black pipe cleaners or stiff fishing line for the whiskers. You can make a “Grumpy Cat” or a “Cheshire Cat” depending on the smile.

Theme 4: People & Professions

Great for “When I Grow Up” career days.

16. The Brave Firefighter Create a yellow or red helmet from cardstock to glue on the top. Draw a uniform on the bottom half of the bag with buttons and a badge.

17. The Doctor/Nurse Draw a white coat on the body. Use yarn for hair. You can cut out a small stethoscope from paper and glue it around the neck.

18. The Superhero Let the kids design their own hero symbol for the chest. The most essential part is the cape—glue a rectangle of fabric or paper to the back of the bag so it flies when they run.

19. The Royal Princess/Prince Use yarn for long hair and foil for a shiny crown. You can use scraps of fabric or lace to make a “gown” for the body of the bag.

20. The Pirate Draw an eye patch on the face. Use a red bandana made of paper or fabric for the head. A drawn-on beard or mustache completes the look.

Theme 5: Seasonal & Holiday Puppets

Keep these ideas handy for holidays.

21. Santa Claus A red body with a black belt. Use copious amounts of cotton balls for the beard and the trim of the hat.

22. The Easter Bunny Use a white bag. Cut very long, tall ears. Use pink pom-poms for the nose and a cotton ball for the tail on the back.

23. Halloween Pumpkin (Jack-O-Lantern) Paint the bag orange. Draw a Jack-O-Lantern face on the top flap. Add a green stem. This is a unique twist on the usual pumpkin craft.

24. The Turkey Perfect for Thanksgiving. Glue colorful paper feathers (red, orange, yellow) fanning out from the back of the bag. Add a “wattle” (the red bit) to the beak.

25. The Snowman White bag. Draw three black “coal” buttons on the body. Glue real twigs to the sides for arms. Add an orange paper nose.

Pro-Tips for Making Your Puppets “Pop”

Now that you have your list, here are three expert techniques to take these puppets from “good” to “amazing.”

1. The Mouth Mechanism

The magic of a paper bag puppet is the flap.

  • The Trick: Always decorate under the flap. If you are making a frog, color the underside of the flap red. When the mouth is closed, you see green lips. When it opens, you see a red mouth. This “peek-a-boo” effect delights children.

2. Texture is Key

Don’t just stick to paper.

  • Use cotton balls for sheep wool or Santa beards.
  • Use tin foil for robot bodies or knight armor.
  • Use yarn or ribbon for hair and tails.
  • Use cupcake liners for dresses or lion manes.

3. Make them Stand

Paper bag puppets are usually worn on the hand, but if you want to display them:

  • Stuff the bag with newspaper to puff it out.
  • Insert a toilet paper roll inside to give it structure so it can stand on a shelf.

3 Fun Script Ideas for Pretend Play

Once the glue is dry, the show must go on! Here are three quick scenarios to get the kids started:

  • The Mixed-Up Zoo: The Lion (Puppet #5 variant) wants to trade voices with the Cow (Puppet #12). The kids have to act out the Lion saying “Moo” and the Cow saying “Roar” until they figure out how to switch back.
  • The Lost Alien: The Alien (Puppet #10) lands in the forest and meets the Owl (Puppet #4). The Owl has to teach the Alien how to behave on Earth (e.g., “We don’t eat rocks, we eat sandwiches!”).
  • The Superhero Rescue: The Superhero (Puppet #18) has to save the Cat (Puppet #15) who is stuck in a “tree” (the sofa).

Conclusion

The humble paper bag is one of the most versatile tools in a crafter’s arsenal. With these 25 DIY Paper Bag Puppet ideas, you are not just making a craft; you are building a gateway to storytelling, emotional expression, and hours of screen-free fun.

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