Raccoons have always fascinated kids and adults alike. With their masked eyes, fluffy striped tails, and curious personalities, these little creatures easily capture our imagination. That’s one reason 1st October, celebrated as International Raccoon Appreciation Day, has become a popular date for teachers, parents, and young learners to explore the world of raccoons through fun crafting activities.
If you’re searching for a creative way to help kids learn about raccoons—and keep them entertained—this long, detailed guide brings you 15 rad raccoon crafts for kids. Each craft is simple, uses basic supplies, and includes learning elements about raccoon behavior, biology, and unique characteristics. These crafts are perfect for classrooms, homeschoolers, libraries, activity centers, and at-home craft time.
Why Raccoon Crafts Are Perfect for Kids
Raccoons are among the most adaptable animals on the planet. They survive in forests, farms, suburbs, and even busy cities. Their intelligence, dexterity, and adorable appearance make them ideal for kid-friendly learning.
When children create raccoon crafts, they naturally explore concepts like:
• Wildlife awareness
Kids understand how raccoons live, what they eat, and how they adapt to the environment.
• Fine motor skills
Cutting, pasting, painting, and assembling the crafts strengthen hand muscles and coordination.
• Creativity and imagination
Each child can decorate their raccoon however they like—cute, funny, fierce, or quirky.
• Storytelling and emotional learning
Raccoons are often used in children’s stories about courage, independence, and family bonding.
Now let’s dive into the craft ideas!
15 Rad Raccoon Crafts for Kids
1. Printable Paper Raccoon Craft
A simple printable template makes this one perfect for young kids. Children can cut out the raccoon’s face, tail, body, and markings, then assemble them using glue. This activity helps kids recognize the signature elements of a raccoon—dark eye patches, triangular ears, and a bushy striped tail.
2. Raccoon Bookmark Craft
Kids who love reading will enjoy making a raccoon-themed stick bookmark. It encourages children to spend more time with books while enjoying a cute handheld raccoon character. They can customize the bookmark with stickers, glitter, or googly eyes.
3. Tree-Hugging Raccoon Craft
Because raccoons are amazing climbers, a tree-hugging raccoon craft teaches both creativity and wildlife behavior. Kids create a cardboard tree trunk and add a raccoon wrapped around it, showing off the animal’s dexterous hands.
4. How to Draw a Raccoon (Kids’ Art Activity)
Drawing a raccoon step-by-step is a wonderful fine motor and art exercise. Children learn how to shape the face mask, paws, and tail. It also introduces them to sketching symmetrical shapes and observing animal features closely.
5. Forest Raccoon Collage
A forest-themed art collage lets kids create a raccoon in its natural habitat. Using paper, cotton, colored card, and leaves, children design a background with trees, grass, and shadows, giving the craft a storytelling angle.
6. Heart-Themed Raccoon Craft Inspired by Picture Books
A heart-shaped raccoon craft works beautifully for emotional learning. Kids cut out heart shapes for the face and body, and paste on the details of the raccoon. This craft helps younger children express themes like love, comfort, and bonding.
7. Raccoon Hand Puppet Craft
With a simple puppet template, kids can design their own talking raccoon character. Using paper, felt, or soft fabric, they make a puppet that can be used in storytelling sessions or imaginative play.
8. Paper Plate Raccoon Craft
Using an everyday paper plate, kids create the face of a raccoon. The plate acts as the base, while grey, black, and white sections form the face mask and ears. This is an excellent group craft for schools and activity classes.
9. Bandit Mask Raccoon Craft
The signature raccoon eye mask is the highlight here. Children cut out the mask shape, color the eye patches, and assemble a cute raccoon face. This craft also introduces kids to the idea that animals have markings for survival—not just for appearance.
10. Candy-Holding Raccoon Craft
A fun party craft where kids make a raccoon holding a small box, candy wrapper, or paper bag. It teaches imagination and creativity while giving children a functional craft that doubles as a treat holder.
11. Washing Raccoon Craft
Raccoons have a unique behavior—they often dip their food in water and show a “washing motion.” Kids can recreate this using a raccoon cutout holding tiny paper objects in a small pretend “water bowl.” This is a great educational craft illustrating animal habits.
12. Clothespin Raccoon Craft
This adorable raccoon is made using a wooden clothespin. Kids attach paper or soft foam raccoon pieces to the pin, creating a slim, tall raccoon figure. It’s simple, cute, and perfect for little hands.
13. Paper Plate Handprint Raccoon Craft
This craft combines two fun ideas—paper plate art and handprint keepsakes. Children paint or color the plate to form the raccoon’s face, then use their handprints to create the ears, fur, or tail. It’s a cute way to preserve memories of a child’s hand size while learning about animals.
14. Masked Raccoon Face Craft
Using colored paper or felt, kids make a raccoon face with layered shapes. It focuses on identifying patterns like triangles, ovals, and circles, making it a good early learning geometry craft.
15. Storytelling Raccoon Stick Craft
Kids attach a raccoon character to a craft stick, creating an instant storytelling puppet. They can use it in group activities, puppet shows, or reading sessions. It’s lightweight, quick to make, and helps children express themselves.
More Learning: Fun Raccoon Facts for Kids
You can pair these crafts with educational mini-lessons such as:
• Raccoons have highly dexterous paws
They can open jars, latches, and sometimes even small doors!
• They are crepuscular
This means raccoons are most active during dawn and dusk.
• Raccoons don’t truly hibernate
They simply sleep more during winter to conserve energy.
• Their dark eye patches reduce glare
Similar to athletes wearing eye black.
• Raccoons have a varied diet
They eat berries, frogs, nuts, fish, and scraps in urban areas.
These facts make the crafting session both enjoyable and informative.
Final Thoughts
Raccoon crafts are a fantastic way to introduce kids to animal science, creativity, storytelling, and hands-on learning. Whether it’s for International Raccoon Appreciation Day or just a weekend activity, these 15 rad raccoon crafts offer endless fun and educational value.
