Fun Alligator Books for Kids

A new bookmark deserves a new book! Before we dive into the craft, here are some “toothy” favorites that are perfect for pairing with your alligator bookmark:

• If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! by Elise Parsley¹²
• There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer³⁴
• See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood⁵⁶
• Chomp Goes the Alligator by Matthew Van Fleet⁷⁸
• Zack’s Alligat⁹or Goes to School by Shirley Mozelle¹⁰

Supplies Needed

Gather these basic supplies to create your alligator:

• Colored Craft Paper: Light green (body), dark green (scales), cream (belly), and white (eyes/teeth).
• Pencil: For tracing your templates.
• Scissors: To cut out the sharp-looking shapes.
• Craft Glue: To keep your gator together.
• Black Sharpie: For pupils, nostrils, and that iconic grin.

How to Make the Alligator Bookmark Papercraft

1. Prepare Your Template

Start by downloading and printing the alligator bookmark template. This includes the body base (which doubles as the bookmark), the tail, the belly, four limbs, and several small scales.

2. Choose Your Colors

While alligators can be gray or brown, a vibrant green is a classic choice for crafts. We suggest using a light green for the main body and dark green for the scales to create a nice contrast. A cream or light yellow paper works best for the underbelly and the tip of the tail.

3. Trace and Cut

Trace each part of the template onto your chosen papers. Carefully cut them out. Tip: If you’re working with younger children, they may need a little help with the small scales and the triangular teeth.

4. Assemble the Body and Belly

Glue the long, thin cream-colored belly cutout onto the front of the light green body base. Align the bottom edges so it looks like the alligator’s soft underside. This also adds a layer of sturdiness to your bookmark.

5. Attach the Forelimbs

It’s time to give our alligator some arms!

• Apply a small amount of glue to the straight edges of the forelimb cutouts.
• Stick one on the outer edge of the body and the other on the “belly” side.
• Important: Leave the curved “hands” free of glue so they can look like they are popping off the page! Trim any excess paper that juts out from the sides.

6. Give Him a Face

Take your white eye cutouts and use a black Sharpie to draw small, round pupils. Glue the eyes near the top of the head. Below the eyes, use your Sharpie to draw two small dots for nostrils and a long, wavy line for a smile.

7. The Snappy Teeth

What’s an alligator without its teeth? Cut out two tiny white triangles and glue them along the smile line. Now your alligator has its signature “chomp!”

8. Add the Scaly Details

Alligators are known for their rough, scaly skin.

• Apply glue to the straight edges of your dark green scale pieces.
• Attach three scales along the tail.
• Glue the remaining scales along the outer edge of the body.
• Trim any excess so the scales are flush with the alligator’s silhouette.

Alligator vs. Crocodile: How to Tell the Difference

While you’re crafting, you can share these fun facts with your kids to help them distinguish between an alligator and its cousin, the crocodile:

Educational Insight: Why Do Alligators Basking?

You might see pictures of alligators lying still in the sun with their mouths open. They aren’t just being lazy! Because alligators are cold-blooded (ectothermic), they rely on the sun to warm up their bodies. This gives them the energy they need to swim and hunt. Your new bookmark is the perfect “basking” companion for a sunny afternoon of reading.

Final Thoughts

This alligator bookmark isn’t just a fun afternoon craft; it’s a “reading buddy” that helps children keep track of their progress in their favorite stories. It encourages a love for books and provides a great jumping-off point for learning about biology and the environment.

Handmade crafts like this one allow children to take pride in their work and create something functional that they can use every single day.