Categories: DIY & Crafts, Kids Activities, Reading & Literacy, Paper Crafts Keywords: Alligator bookmark craft, papercraft for kids, DIY animal bookmarks, National Alligator Day activities, children’s book activities, reading crafts, easy paper alligator.
Show and Tell is a rite of passage for almost every school-aged child. It is that special time of the week when kids get to bring a piece of their world into the classroom to share with friends. We have seen teddy bears, shiny rocks, and cool LEGO builds. But imagine if one of your classmates decided to get a little too creative and brought a live alligator to class?
Chaos would surely ensue! While we definitely don’t recommend bringing a reptile to school (the teacher might not appreciate the snapping jaws!), we highly recommend bringing one into your reading routine.
With National Alligator Day coming up on May 29th, it is the perfect time to celebrate these prehistoric creatures. But why stop at just reading about them? Let’s bring the story to life. Today, we are making an Amazing Alligator Bookmark Papercraft. It is snappy, it is colorful, and it is the perfect companion to mark your page in your favorite book.
This guide includes a list of our favorite alligator-themed books to get you started, followed by a step-by-step tutorial on how to build your very own reading buddy.
Why combine Reading with Crafting?
In the digital age, getting children to sit down with a physical book can sometimes be a challenge. Integrating a craft project into reading time creates a “positive association loop.”
- Engagement: The child isn’t just a passive consumer of a story; they are an active creator of the characters.
- Comprehension: Making a character from the book helps children visualize the story, leading to better memory retention.
- Motor Skills: Cutting, pasting, and assembling the alligator parts helps refine fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
5 Hilarious Books About Alligators for Children
Before we break out the glue sticks, here is a reading list that pairs perfectly with this craft. Alligators in children’s literature are rarely the scary swamp monsters they are in real life; they are usually misunderstood, hungry, or trying to fit in!
1. If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! by Elise Parsley
This book is the inspiration behind our intro! It is a laugh-out-loud guide on why alligators make terrible Show and Tell guests. From their appetite to their inability to sit still, this book is a classroom favorite that teaches a lesson about choices (and why some animals belong in the wild).
2. There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer
A classic that has stood the test of time. A young boy has to deal with an alligator under his bed because his parents simply won’t believe him. It is a charming story about problem-solving and bravery, featuring an alligator that is more mischievous than menacing.
3. See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood
Based on the famous saying, this book follows a tortoise who is trying to say goodbye to all his friends. It is packed with rhymes and animals, making it a fantastic choice for younger readers or toddlers who love repetitive, rhythmic storytelling.
4. Chomp Goes the Alligator by Matthew Van Fleet
This is a tactile, interactive book. It features a hungry alligator counting his way from one to ten as he chomps on various swamp creatures. It includes textures, pull-tabs, and a big pop-up surprise. It’s great for teaching numbers!
5. Zack’s Alligator Goes to School by Shirley Mozelle
Zack gets a keychain alligator that magically grows when water is added. Bridget (the alligator) is full of energy and causes quite a stir at school. It’s a fun early reader book that bridges the gap between picture books and chapter books.
Fun Facts About Alligators (Educational Moment)
While you are crafting, you can share these cool facts with your kids to make the activity educational:
- Living Fossils: Alligators have been around for millions of years—since the time of the dinosaurs!
- The Difference: How do you tell an Alligator from a Crocodile? An alligator has a U-shaped snout (like a shovel), while a crocodile has a V-shaped snout. Also, when an alligator closes its mouth, you can’t see its teeth!
- Built-in Goggles: Alligators have a third clear eyelid that protects their eyes underwater, acting just like swim goggles.
How to Make the Amazing Alligator Bookmark
Now, let’s get to the fun part. This craft is designed to be simple, using materials you likely already have in your craft drawer.
Supplies Required:
- Colored Craft Paper: You will need a few shades of green (dark for the body, light for the scales), yellow or cream (for the belly), and white (for the eyes/teeth).
- Pencil: For tracing shapes.
- Scissors: Kid-safe scissors are fine for this.
- Craft Glue: A glue stick works best to avoid wrinkling the paper.
- Black Sharpie or Marker: For adding details like pupils and nostrils.
- Template: Note: You can draw these shapes freehand easily! Think of ovals for the body and triangles for the tail.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Your Shapes
If you don’t have a printer, don’t worry. Draw the following shapes on your colored paper:
- Body: A long, rounded oblong shape (Dark Green).
- Belly: A slightly smaller version of the body shape (Yellow or Light Green).
- Tail: A curved triangle shape (Dark Green).
- Limbs: Four small oval shapes for legs (Dark Green).
- Scales: A zig-zag strip or several small triangles (Dark Green or a contrasting shade).
- Eyes: Two medium circles (White) and two slightly larger circles (Dark Green) for the background.
- Teeth: A small strip of white paper cut with a zig-zag pattern.
Step 2: Assemble the Body
Take the Body cutout (Dark Green) and the Belly cutout (Yellow). Glue the belly piece onto the center of the body piece. Make sure it is centered so you can see a rim of the dark green showing on the edges. This gives the alligator depth.
Step 3: Attach the Tail and Limbs
Apply a small amount of glue to the flat edge of the Tail cutout. Attach it to the back of the body (the bottom end). Next, glue the four Limbs (legs) to the underside of the body—two near the front and two near the back. Position them so they look like the alligator is crawling.
Step 4: The Spiky Scales
This is what makes the alligator look real! Take your zig-zag strip or individual triangles (Scales). Glue them along the top edge of the tail and the back. You can make them pop by using a slightly lighter or darker shade of green than the body.
Step 5: The Head and Face
- The Eyes: Glue the white circles onto the larger green circles. Use your black Sharpie to draw eyeballs. You can make him look goofy (eyes looking in different directions) or focused. Glue the eyes to the top of the head area.
- The Snout: Use the black marker to draw two small dots for nostrils near the bottom of the face.
- The Teeth: Glue the zig-zag white strip near the bottom of the face to look like sharp teeth poking out.
Step 6: Final Touches
Take your black Sharpie and draw horizontal lines across the yellow belly to create a “ribbed” texture, which is classic for cartoon alligators. You can also outline the legs to define the toes.
Step 7: Using Your Bookmark
Allow the glue to dry completely (wait at least 15 minutes). To use it, simply slide the alligator between the pages of your book. You can have his head peeking out of the top so he is “watching” your spot until you return!
Conclusion
And there you have it! A ferocious (but mostly cute) alligator bookmark ready to chomp its way through your library. This craft is a fantastic way to spend a rainy afternoon or to prepare for National Alligator Day.
Remember, crafts like this are not just about the final product; they are about the time spent creating and the stories you share while doing it. So, grab a book, snuggle up, and let your new alligator friend keep your place.
Did you try this craft? We would love to see how your alligators turned out! Did you make a green one, or did you get creative with a purple or blue alligator? Let imagination be your guide.
