Fun and Creative Lion Crafts for Kids

Lion crafts for kids are a fun way to explore creativity while learning about the king of the jungle. These activities let children make playful lions using simple materials like paper, yarn, and cardboard.

Paper Plate Lion Mask

I’ve made this one so many times with kids, and honestly, it never gets old. You just grab a paper plate, cut out some eye holes, and then let the little ones go wild painting it yellow or orange. The fun part is the mane—you can use strips of construction paper, yarn, or even tissue paper. I’ve noticed that the messier they stick it on, the cuter it actually turns out. One time, my niece glued on so many pieces that the lion looked like it had been to the hair salon for a blowout. It was hilarious.

What I really love about this craft is how it sparks role play. Once the masks are done, kids instantly roar and start crawling around pretending to be lions. I’ve seen shy kids come alive just because they’re wearing a mask. In my opinion, it’s such a confidence booster for them while being ridiculously simple to make.

Handprint Lion Art

This one is sentimental for me because it turns into a keepsake. You dip kids’ hands into paint (yellow, orange, or brown) and stamp them in a circle to make the mane. Their tiny handprints become the mane of a big, proud lion, and it’s kind of heart-melting. I’ve got one framed on my wall from when my son was four, and I swear it’s still my favorite piece of “art.”

The best part? Kids feel like real artists when they see how their handprints transform into something recognizable. Some kids even start mixing colors on purpose to make a “rainbow lion”—and honestly, it looks amazing. The only downside is the cleanup. Painty little hands get everywhere, so I usually keep a wet cloth nearby. But to be fair, the giggles during the process are worth every bit of the mess.

Paper Bag Lion Puppet

I always say this one is perfect for kids who love putting on little shows. You take a brown paper lunch bag, add a paper circle for the lion’s face, and glue on a mane—yarn, tissue paper strips, or even just scribbles with markers. Then, once it’s decorated, the mouth becomes the puppet’s talking part. Simple, but kids think it’s magic.

I’ve seen entire puppet plays happen from just one afternoon of making these. My neighbor’s daughter once made a whole “jungle story” with her lion puppet and a giraffe she drew on a sock. It kept her entertained for hours. The thing about this craft is it blends creativity with playtime. In my opinion, that’s the sweet spot—you get the joy of crafting and the fun of acting it out afterward.

Toilet Paper Roll Lion

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with all those empty toilet paper rolls, this is the answer. I usually paint them orange or yellow first, then add a round face on top, with googly eyes and a paper mane around it. Kids love rolling them across the table pretending it’s a “lion on wheels.” I didn’t plan that part—it just happened, but it’s now tradition.

What’s funny is that sometimes the rolls end up being little lion families because kids don’t want to stop at one. I once had a playdate where we ended up with eight lions lined up like a parade. It’s such a good reminder that kids don’t need complicated toys—they just need something to spark imagination. And, honestly, this craft is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do that.

Yarn Mane Lion Face

This one takes a bit of patience, but the result is worth it. You start with a paper circle or cardboard for the lion’s face and glue strands of yarn all around for the mane. I’ve found that kids love choosing the yarn colors—sometimes it’s traditional orange and yellow, but other times I’ve seen purple, green, and even neon pink lions. And they’re always adorable.

I remember the first time I did this, my niece kept giggling because the yarn pieces looked like spaghetti. She even pretended to “eat” one before gluing it down. The tactile part of cutting and gluing yarn really keeps kids engaged. And to be fair, even adults find themselves trimming the mane to “style” it. It’s like giving the lion a haircut, which somehow turns into its own mini activity.

Finger Painting Lion

Okay, this one gets messy, but in my opinion, messy crafts are sometimes the most fun. The idea is to use finger paint to create the mane—kids dab their fingers in orange, red, or yellow paint and stamp them in a circle around a lion face. The randomness of the fingerprints makes every lion look unique.

One time, my son got so carried away that he covered the paper in fingerprints until it looked more like a sun than a lion. And you know what? We decided it was a “sun-lion.” That’s what I love about this—it’s forgiving. There’s no right or wrong way, and it doubles as sensory play. Just keep wipes handy because those little hands somehow always end up on furniture or clothes when you’re not looking.

Popsicle Stick Lion

This craft always reminds me of summer camps because it’s a staple there. You glue popsicle sticks side by side to form a base, then stick on a lion face and add some kind of mane (paper, felt, yarn—whatever you’ve got). Kids can paint the sticks first too, which adds more color.

I’ve noticed kids often turn these into signs or wall hangings because the sticks make it sturdier. One of my friend’s kids even taped a string to the back and hung it on her bedroom door as a “beware of lion” sign. It cracked me up. Honestly, it’s one of those crafts that look simple but end up being surprisingly decorative, which is always a win in my book.

Cotton Ball Fluffy Lion

This one is all about texture. You glue cotton balls around a circle to make the fluffiest mane ever, then paint or color the cotton to match lion colors. Sometimes we leave them white just for fun—it kind of turns into a snow lion. The softness makes it especially fun for younger kids who love touching everything.

I once tried mixing cotton with a little bit of orange tissue paper, and it gave the lion this cool, fiery mane look. The kids thought it looked “magical,” and to be fair, I did too. This craft is less about perfection and more about experimenting with materials. It’s one of those crafts that feel good in your hands while also looking really sweet when finished.

Felt Lion Soft Toy

Now, this one takes more time and some sewing, but if you’re up for it, it’s worth it. You cut out lion shapes from felt, stitch them together, and stuff them with cotton or fabric scraps. Add a felt mane, a face, and suddenly you’ve got a homemade toy. In my opinion, it makes for such a thoughtful gift too.

I made one for my godson when he was two, and he still carries it around. There’s something special about a toy you made by hand that a child treasures. If sewing isn’t your thing, you can also glue pieces of felt together just for the look, but stitching definitely holds up better for playtime. It’s not a quick craft, but honestly, the extra effort pays off when you see kids hugging their new lion friend.

Lion Bookmark with Tassel Mane

This is a craft that gets kids excited about reading, which I think is pretty amazing. You make a lion face out of paper or card stock and then add a tassel as the mane. It slides right into books, peeking out with a little lion grin. Kids love seeing it sticking out from the pages.

I made these once at a library event, and the kids kept comparing their tassels—some long, some short, some rainbow. One girl even braided hers, and I thought it was brilliant. It’s such a simple idea but makes books feel more fun. To be fair, I’ve even kept one for myself because it just makes me smile every time I open my book.

Lion Crown Headband

If your kids like dressing up, this craft is perfect. You cut out a strip of paper for the crown, decorate it with lion features, and then add strips or yarn for the mane sticking out around it. Kids wear it like a crown and instantly feel like jungle royalty.

I’ve seen birthday parties where every kid made one of these, and the whole room turned into a lion pride. The pictures from that day were priceless—so many little lions roaring at the camera. Honestly, it’s one of the easiest crafts to organize in groups, and the kids love wearing something they’ve made themselves. It’s playful, wearable art, and I think that’s the best kind.

Origami Lion

This one’s more for older kids or anyone with a bit of patience. Folding paper into a lion face isn’t too hard once you get the hang of it, but the first few tries might look a little… abstract. I’ve definitely had some “oops” lions that looked more like cats. But once you nail it, it’s so satisfying.

I usually print out step-by-step diagrams or follow a video tutorial. Kids love seeing the flat paper transform into something 3D—it feels like magic. One of my friends used to make a whole zoo out of origami animals with her class, and the lions were always the favorite. To be fair, it takes practice, but the results look impressive without needing fancy supplies.

Egg Carton Lion Face

This craft is all about recycling, and I love that. You cut out a section of an egg carton, paint it, and turn it into a lion’s face. Then add paper or yarn for the mane, and you’ve got the cutest little lion staring back at you.

The texture of the carton gives it a quirky look that flat paper crafts just don’t have. I once did this with a group of kids, and they all gave their lions different expressions—some happy, some grumpy, even one that looked sleepy. Honestly, it cracked me up how much personality came out of a piece of egg carton. It’s proof that you can make something fun out of the simplest materials.

Cardboard Lion Puzzle

This one doubles as both a craft and a game, which is why I like it so much. You draw or paint a lion on a piece of cardboard, then cut it into puzzle pieces. Kids get the joy of making it and then the fun of solving it afterward.

I’ve made these at home, and I’ve seen kids happily spend ages trying to put them back together. Sometimes they even race to see who can finish fastest. To be fair, it doesn’t need to be complicated—even simple shapes work. But if you want a challenge, you can cut more pieces. In my opinion, this is such a good rainy-day project because it keeps them busy long after the crafting is done.

Safari-Themed Lion Scene

This one feels like storytelling through art. You set up a background—maybe construction paper or a shoebox diorama—and then add lions, trees, grass, and other animals. It becomes a whole safari world. Kids can draw, cut out, or even use toy animals to bring it to life.

I once made one with my niece, and she spent half an hour arranging her lions under the “trees” we made out of pipe cleaners. She even made a little watering hole out of blue paper. Honestly, the creativity just flows with this project. It’s not just about making a lion—it’s about creating a world for it, and kids absolutely thrive on that kind of imaginative play.