55+ Top Easy Penguin Crafts For Kids

Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids are a fun and engaging way to spark creativity in children while celebrating these adorable, flightless birds. Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids often use simple materials like paper, cotton balls, googly eyes, and glue, making them perfect for young learners and a variety of skill levels. Whether you’re creating a paper plate penguin, a handprint penguin, or a recycled materials project, Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids are great for fostering imagination, developing motor skills, and teaching kids about wildlife in a hands-on way. Perfect for winter-themed projects or any time of year!

 

Paper Plate Penguin

Paper plates are versatile craft materials that transform easily into adorable penguins. This craft is simple, affordable, and great for younger kids.

Materials Needed:

• Paper plates
• Black, white, and orange construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Googly eyes
• Black paint (optional)

Steps:

1. Take a paper plate and paint it black (or use it as is). Let it dry.
2. Cut out a large oval from white construction paper to form the penguin’s belly and glue it to the center of the plate.
3. Use black construction paper to cut out two wings and glue them to the sides of the plate.
4. Cut a small orange triangle for the beak and glue it above the white belly.
5. Add two googly eyes above the beak.
6. Finish the penguin by cutting and attaching orange feet at the bottom.

Handprint Penguin Art

This craft combines painting and a personal touch by using handprints to create a penguin.

Materials Needed:

• Black and white paint
• Orange marker
• Blue cardstock
• Paintbrush
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Paint the child’s palm and fingers (excluding the thumb) black.
2. Press the painted hand onto blue cardstock to make the penguin’s body. Let it dry.
3. Use white paint to add a belly and face to the penguin.
4. Once the white paint is dry, use an orange marker to draw the beak and feet.
5. Glue googly eyes on the face to complete the look.

Bottle Cap Penguins

Recycling bottle caps can turn them into mini penguins for a fun and eco-friendly craft.

Materials Needed:

• Plastic bottle caps (black or painted black)
• White paint
• Orange and white cardstock
• Scissors
• Glue

Steps:

1. Paint the inner part of the bottle cap white to create the penguin’s belly.
2. Cut out small orange triangles for the beak and orange ovals for the feet.
3. Attach the feet to the base of the bottle cap and the beak to the top with glue.
4. Add googly eyes or draw eyes with a marker.

Sock Penguin

Transform an old sock into a cute, cuddly penguin toy!

Materials Needed:

• Black sock
• Rice or stuffing
• Felt (white, black, and orange)
• String or rubber bands
• Glue or needle and thread
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Fill the sock with rice or stuffing, dividing it into two sections using string or rubber bands. The larger section forms the body, and the smaller one is the head.
2. Cut and glue a white oval felt piece on the body to create the belly.
3. Add orange felt feet and a beak to the penguin.
4. Glue or sew on googly eyes.
5. Optionally, tie a ribbon around the neck for a scarf.

Toilet Paper Roll Penguin

This craft is an excellent way to reuse empty toilet paper rolls.

Materials Needed:

• Empty toilet paper roll
• Black, white, and orange paper
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Cover the entire toilet paper roll with black paper.
2. Cut an oval from white paper and glue it onto the front for the belly.
3. Use orange paper to cut and attach feet and a beak.
4. Add googly eyes above the beak to complete your penguin.

Penguin Bookmark

Encourage kids to read with these adorable penguin bookmarks.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange cardstock
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Cut a black triangle and fold the top corners inward to form a square.
2. Cut white paper into a smaller square and glue it onto the folded triangle.
3. Add orange paper for the beak and black wings.
4. Attach googly eyes above the beak.

Felt Penguin Puppets

Kids will love making and playing with these soft penguin puppets.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange felt
• Scissors
• Needle and thread or glue
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Cut two identical penguin body shapes from black felt.
2. Cut a smaller oval from white felt for the belly and glue or sew it onto one of the black pieces.
3. Add orange felt feet and a beak to the white belly.
4. Glue or sew the two black pieces together, leaving an opening at the bottom for a finger puppet.
5. Attach googly eyes to the face.

Cotton Ball Penguins

Soft and fluffy, these cotton ball penguins are fun to create.

Materials Needed:

• Cotton balls
• Black and orange paper
• Glue
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Glue cotton balls together to form the penguin’s body and head.
2. Use black paper to cut and attach wings.
3. Add an orange beak and feet.
4. Glue googly eyes to complete the penguin’s face.

Penguin Headband Craft

This penguin-themed headband is perfect for dress-up or fun activities.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange cardstock
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Cut a long strip of black cardstock to fit around the child’s head and tape or glue the ends together.
2. Cut an oval shape from white cardstock for the penguin’s face and glue it to the front of the headband.
3. Add an orange triangle for the beak and googly eyes above it.
4. Decorate the sides of the headband with black wings made from cardstock.

Penguin Popsicle Stick Craft

Turn plain popsicle sticks into charming penguin figures.

Materials Needed:

• Large popsicle sticks
• Black, white, and orange paint
• Googly eyes
• Glue

Steps:

1. Paint the popsicle stick black and let it dry.
2. Add a white oval in the middle of the stick for the penguin’s belly.
3. Paint an orange beak near the top and add orange feet at the bottom.
4. Attach googly eyes above the beak.

Yarn-Wrapped Penguins

This activity enhances motor skills as kids wrap yarn around a penguin template.

Materials Needed:

• Black and white yarn
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Glue
• Orange and white cardstock

Steps:

1. Cut a penguin shape from cardboard.
2. Wrap black yarn around the cardboard, leaving an open space for the belly.
3. Fill the belly area with white yarn.
4. Cut out orange paper for the beak and feet and attach them with glue.
5. Add googly eyes to complete the penguin’s face.

Fingerprint Penguins

This simple craft creates adorable penguins using fingerprints.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange paint
• Blue cardstock
• Paintbrush

Steps:

1. Dip a finger in black paint and press it onto the blue cardstock to form the penguin’s body.
2. Add a smaller white fingerprint on top of the black print for the belly.
3. Use orange paint to add a beak and feet.
4. Use a fine brush to add eyes or attach small googly eyes.

Egg Carton Penguins

Transform egg cartons into a colony of penguins with this eco-friendly craft.

Materials Needed:

• Egg carton cups
• Black and white paint
• Orange paper
• Googly eyes
• Glue

Steps:

1. Cut out individual cups from an egg carton and paint them black.
2. Add a white oval on one side for the penguin’s belly.
3. Attach orange paper feet and a beak to the bottom and front of the cup.
4. Glue googly eyes above the beak to complete the face.

Penguin Snow Globe

Create a magical snow globe with a penguin inside!

Materials Needed:

• Small plastic jar with a lid
• Miniature penguin figurine or homemade penguin
• Glitter
• Water
• Hot glue

Steps:

1. Glue the penguin figurine to the inside of the jar lid.
2. Fill the jar with water and add a pinch of glitter for “snow.”
3. Screw the lid tightly onto the jar and seal with hot glue if necessary.
4. Shake and enjoy your penguin snow globe.

Rock Penguin Painting

Painting on rocks is a wonderful way to create durable penguin decorations.

Materials Needed:

• Smooth rocks
• Black, white, and orange paint
• Paintbrushes

Steps:

1. Wash and dry the rocks.
2. Paint the entire rock black and let it dry.
3. Add a white oval for the belly and orange details for the beak and feet.
4. Paint eyes or use small googly eyes to complete the penguin.

Cupcake Liner Penguins

These adorable penguins are made using cupcake liners for a textured effect.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange cupcake liners
• Glue
• Googly eyes
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Flatten a black cupcake liner to create the penguin’s body.
2. Add a smaller white cupcake liner on top for the belly.
3. Cut and attach an orange beak and feet.
4. Glue googly eyes above the beak.

Clay Penguin Models

This craft uses air-dry clay to sculpt penguins that can be painted and displayed.

Materials Needed:

• Air-dry clay
• Black, white, and orange paint
• Paintbrushes

Steps:

1. Shape the clay into a penguin body with a rounded head and a wide base.
2. Let the clay dry completely.
3. Paint the body black, adding white for the belly and orange for the beak and feet.
4. Use a fine brush to paint small eyes or attach tiny beads for eyes.

Paper Bag Penguins

Turn ordinary paper lunch bags into cute penguin puppets.

Materials Needed:

• Paper lunch bags
• Black, white, and orange construction paper
• Glue
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Cover the front of the paper bag with black paper.
2. Cut out a white oval for the belly and glue it to the middle.
3. Add orange paper feet at the bottom and a beak near the fold of the bag.
4. Attach googly eyes above the beak.

Penguin Mask

Kids can transform into penguins with this fun and wearable mask.

Materials Needed:

• Paper plates
• Black, white, and orange paint
• Elastic string
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut out eye holes in a paper plate.
2. Paint the plate black, leaving a white area for the penguin’s face.
3. Attach an orange triangle beak in the center.
4. Punch holes on either side of the plate and attach the elastic string to create a mask.

Penguin Garland

A penguin garland is a festive decoration perfect for winter-themed parties or to spruce up your home.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange cardstock
• String or twine
• Scissors
• Glue
• Hole punch

Steps:

1. Cut out multiple penguin shapes from black cardstock.
2. Add a white belly to each penguin by cutting and gluing white ovals.
3. Attach orange feet and beaks to each penguin shape.
4. Add googly eyes or draw eyes on each penguin.
5. Use a hole punch at the top of each penguin and thread them onto a string or twine to create the garland.
6. Hang your penguin garland to enjoy!

Bubble Wrap Penguin Painting

Kids will love using bubble wrap to create a textured penguin painting.

Materials Needed:

• Bubble wrap
• Black, white, and orange paint
• Scissors
• Blue paper
• Paintbrush

Steps:

1. Cut a piece of bubble wrap into the shape of a penguin body.
2. Paint the bubble side of the wrap black and press it onto blue paper.
3. Add a white oval for the belly using white paint and another piece of bubble wrap.
4. Use a paintbrush to add orange details for the beak and feet.
5. Once dry, add googly eyes or paint eyes onto the penguin.

Foam Cup Penguin

This cute penguin craft uses foam cups as the base.

Materials Needed:

• Foam cups
• Black and white paint
• Orange cardstock
• Googly eyes
• Glue

Steps:

1. Paint the foam cup black, leaving an oval area unpainted for the belly. Let it dry.
2. Cut and glue orange cardstock feet to the bottom of the cup.
3. Add a small orange triangle for the beak.
4. Attach googly eyes above the beak.
5. Place the cup upside down for display!

Origami Penguin

Teach kids the art of origami with this simple penguin design.

Materials Needed:

• Black origami paper
• White paper
• Glue
• Marker

Steps:

1. Fold a black origami paper into a basic bird shape by folding it diagonally and creating a crease down the middle.
2. Fold the top point downward to form the penguin’s head.
3. Cut a white triangle to create the belly and glue it to the folded paper.
4. Use a marker to draw eyes or attach small googly eyes.

Pinecone Penguins

Turn pinecones into adorable penguin decorations!

Materials Needed:

• Pinecones
• Black and white paint
• Orange felt
• Googly eyes
• Glue

Steps:

1. Paint the pinecone black, leaving a white section for the penguin’s belly.
2. Cut out orange felt for the feet and beak and attach them with glue.
3. Add googly eyes above the beak.
4. Let it dry completely before displaying.

Sponge Stamp Penguins

Use sponges to create penguin art with a unique texture.

Materials Needed:

• Sponges
• Black, white, and orange paint
• Blue cardstock
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut a sponge into the shape of a penguin’s body.
2. Dip the sponge into black paint and stamp it onto blue cardstock.
3. Use smaller sponge pieces to add white for the belly and orange for the feet and beak.
4. Add googly eyes or draw eyes to finish the design.

Felt Penguin Ornaments

Create soft penguin ornaments to hang on a tree or display in your room.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange felt
• Needle and thread or glue
• Ribbon
• Stuffing (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut out two identical penguin shapes from black felt.
2. Add a white felt belly and orange felt feet and beak to one piece.
3. Sew or glue the two pieces together, leaving a small hole for stuffing if desired.
4. Attach a loop of ribbon at the top to create a hanging ornament.

Paper Straw Penguins

Paper straws can be turned into charming little penguins for decoration or play.

Materials Needed:

• Black and white paper straws
• Black, white, and orange paper
• Glue
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut the straws into smaller pieces to serve as the penguin’s body.
2. Wrap black paper around the straw pieces and glue in place.
3. Add white ovals for the belly and orange paper feet and beaks.
4. Attach googly eyes to complete the look.

Button Penguins

This craft turns spare buttons into tiny penguins.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange buttons
• Glue
• Cardstock

Steps:

1. Glue a large black button onto cardstock as the penguin’s body.
2. Add a smaller white button on top for the belly.
3. Use tiny orange buttons for the feet and beak.
4. Add googly eyes or draw eyes with a marker.

Penguin Finger Puppets

Kids can make these simple finger puppets for hours of imaginative play.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange felt
• Scissors
• Glue or needle and thread

Steps:

1. Cut two identical penguin shapes from black felt.
2. Add a white felt belly and an orange felt beak to one piece.
3. Glue or sew the two black pieces together, leaving an opening at the bottom for fingers.
4. Add small googly eyes or sew on tiny buttons for eyes.

Penguin Gift Wrap

Transform plain wrapping paper into a penguin-themed design.

Materials Needed:

• Black, white, and orange wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Glue

Steps:

1. Wrap a gift in black wrapping paper.
2. Cut and attach a white paper oval for the belly.
3. Use orange paper to create feet and a beak.
4. Add googly eyes or draw eyes with a marker for the face.

Craft Tips and Tricks: Making the Most of Creative Activities

Crafting is a wonderful way to foster creativity, improve fine motor skills, and engage with children at various developmental stages. Whether you’re working with toddlers or older kids, adapting crafts to suit their abilities and interests can make the experience more enjoyable and educational. Below are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your crafting sessions, including ideas for displaying finished projects and combining crafts with educational activities.

1. Adapting Crafts for Different Age Groups

• Toddlers (Ages 1-3):
  • Focus on activities that allow sensory exploration and simple tasks like tearing, gluing, or sticking.
  • Use materials like large foam shapes, colored paper, and stickers.
  • Try crafting with safe materials such as playdough, finger paints, or water-based crayons.
  • Keep instructions simple and allow for open-ended creativity, letting toddlers explore freely.
• Preschoolers (Ages 3-5):
  • Introduce activities that require more coordination, like cutting with safety scissors, threading beads, or gluing pieces together to make shapes.
  • Incorporate basic shapes and colors to build skills in recognition and categorization.
  • Use age-appropriate templates for tracing, like simple animal shapes or flowers, and allow room for their interpretation.
• Older Kids (Ages 6+):
  • Challenge them with more complex crafts, such as making 3D models, building with clay, or creating intricate drawings.
  • Encourage them to follow step-by-step instructions and learn about different crafting techniques (e.g., knitting, origami, or decoupage).
  • Include educational elements that combine creativity with learning, like geography-themed crafts or history-inspired projects.

2. Ideas for Combining Penguin Crafts with Learning Activities

Penguin crafts can be a fun and interactive way to incorporate educational lessons into creative activities. Here are a few ideas for combining penguin-themed crafts with learning activities:

• Geography Lessons about Antarctica:
  • Create a penguin habitat diorama with cotton balls for snow and a blue background for the sea, explaining where penguins live and what conditions they thrive in.
  • Teach kids about the different penguin species by having them craft a variety of penguins from construction paper and label each type (e.g., Emperor Penguin, King Penguin).
  • Discuss the geographic features of Antarctica while making a penguin collage, and highlight the importance of ice and snow in their ecosystem.
• Science and Habitat Exploration:
  • Use penguin crafts as a way to teach about animal adaptations. For instance, discuss how penguins’ wings help them swim and let kids make paper penguins with flipper-like wings.
  • Combine storytelling with craft time: Create a penguin character and use it to explain migration or nesting habits.
• Language Arts and Imagination:
  • Have kids write short stories about their penguin characters and create a visual representation. Craft penguin puppets using paper bags or felt, and put on a mini puppet show to express their imagination.

3. Suggestions for Displaying Finished Crafts

• Fridge Art:
  • The classic spot for displaying children’s artwork. Use magnets to hang up their latest craft projects, especially drawings, paper sculptures, or smaller projects. It’s a quick and easy way to keep the art visible and rotating.
• Wall Displays:
  • Dedicate a wall or bulletin board to display a rotating collection of your child’s crafts. You can frame their artwork or pin it to a corkboard to showcase their creativity.
  • If the art includes elements like tissue paper or painted pieces, using clothespins on string creates a fun, mobile-style display.
• Holiday Decor:
  • Finished crafts can be perfect for decorating your home during holidays. For example, tissue paper garlands made by kids can be hung up for birthdays, Christmas, or other celebrations.
  • Turn craft projects into personalized holiday ornaments. Use clay or salt dough to make handprint or footprint keepsakes, or paint wooden shapes for tree decorations.

4. Making Tissue Paper Garlands for Parties, Celebrations, or Decorations

Tissue paper garlands are a fun, colorful way to add flair to any occasion. Here’s how to make them and adapt for different events:

• Basic Instructions:
  1. Cut tissue paper into squares or rectangles.
  2. Stack several layers of tissue paper and fold them like an accordion.
  3. Secure the center with a piece of string or twist tie to form a “pom-pom” shape.
  4. Attach a string or thread through the center of each pom-pom to create a garland.
• For Birthdays:
  • Choose the birthday child’s favorite colors to create a personalized garland. Hang it across the party room or over the cake table.
• For Christmas or Winter Holidays:
  • Use red, green, gold, and white tissue paper to craft festive garlands. Add a touch of sparkle by including glitter or metallic tissue paper.
• For Spring Celebrations:
  • Make garlands with pastel colors, including pink, yellow, and light green, to decorate for Easter or a springtime party. You can even add cut-out flower shapes between the tissue pom-poms.
• For Everyday Decor:
  • Create long, colorful garlands to brighten up a child’s bedroom, playroom, or any area in your home.

Safety Tips for Crafting with Kids

Crafting with kids can be a fun and creative way to spend time together, allowing children to explore their imaginations and develop important skills. However, it’s essential to ensure their safety during these activities. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when crafting with kids:

1. Use Age-Appropriate Materials
   • Always choose craft supplies that are suitable for your child’s age and developmental level. Avoid small parts for younger children that could be a choking hazard.
2. Supervise at All Times
   • Even when using non-toxic materials, young children should always be supervised while crafting. Keep a close eye on their actions to prevent accidents.
3. Ensure Proper Scissors Use
   • For older kids learning to use scissors, make sure they are using safety scissors or blunt-tip scissors. Teach them the correct way to hold and cut with scissors.
4. Avoid Sharp Objects
   • Tools like needles, pins, and craft knives should only be used by older children under close supervision. Consider using child-safe alternatives for younger crafters.
5. Choose Non-Toxic Supplies
   • Opt for non-toxic paints, glue, markers, and other supplies. Always check for a “non-toxic” label to ensure that the materials are safe for children to handle.
6. Keep Crafting Areas Clean
   • Crafting can get messy, but keeping the area tidy will reduce the risk of slips and spills. Ensure that the work surface is stable, and any potentially hazardous materials are put away when not in use.
7. Wear Protective Gear
   • Depending on the craft, consider having your child wear protective gear such as an apron, goggles, or gloves. This is particularly useful for messy activities like painting or working with glue.
8. Avoid Flammable Materials
   • Keep flammable materials, such as certain paints or glue, away from open flames or heat sources. Always craft in well-ventilated areas when working with such materials.
9. Teach Proper Clean-Up Habits
   • Encourage kids to clean up after themselves, including washing hands after handling craft supplies. Dispose of waste materials like sharp objects and broken items properly.
10. Know the Crafting Tools You’re Using
    • Familiarize yourself with the craft materials and tools before beginning a project. Understanding their potential risks helps you guide your child through safe usage.

By following these safety tips, crafting can be an enjoyable and safe activity for kids, helping to foster their creativity while keeping them protected.

FAQ

What materials do I need for Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids ?

For simple Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids , you’ll need basic supplies like construction paper, glue, scissors, markers or crayons, googly eyes, cotton balls, and possibly paper plates or black foam sheets. Some crafts may also require items like popsicle sticks or pipe cleaners.

Are Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids suitable for all age groups?

Yes, Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids can be adapted for various age groups. Younger children can focus on simple cutting and gluing, while older kids can add more intricate details or use additional materials for a more advanced design.

How do I make a penguin with a paper plate?

To make a paper plate penguin, start by painting the plate black. Once it dries, cut out white shapes for the belly and eyes. Glue them to the plate, and add a small orange triangle for the beak. Use black paper for the flippers, and you can also attach cotton balls for a snowy effect.

Can I use Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids for a classroom activity?

Absolutely! Easy Penguin Crafts for Kids are great for classroom activities, especially around winter or during themed lessons. You can create a crafting station where children can make their own penguins and even learn fun facts about penguins as they work.