31+ Book Character Crafts – Fun Story Book Craft Ideas Kids Love
For parents who want to encourage their children’s love of reading, one of the best ways is through crafting. That’s why we have put together this list for some fun book character crafts that your kids will love! For example, you can make a Lorax puppet with a paper bag. You can make Mo Willems’ famous Pigeon character with your child’s handprint – perfect for storytime!
Book Character Crafts
You’ll find crafts for so many of your kids’ favorite books, from classics like The Cat in the Hat to newer favorites like Harry Potter and Pete the Cat! These projects will help your kids stretch their creative muscles, as well as help them develop their language skills because they’ll want to read even more.
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What are you waiting for? Let’s get started on these 31 Book Character Crafts today!
Book Character Crafts from Your Kids’ Favorite Stories
Rainbow Fish Paper Plate Craft from naturalbeachliving.com: For this fun paper plate fish craft, you’ll start by painting the entire plate a gorgeous blue color. Then, you’ll use paper circles and glitter to make colorful, sparkly scales to mimic a rainbow fish. It’s so colorful, and it’ll be great hanging from your wall!
Handprint Pigeon Craft from simpleeverydaymom.com: You’ll recognize Mo Willems’ Pigeon character anywhere! This Handprint Pigeon craft is great for young readers to make.
You’ll need paper, glue, a Sharpie, and a large googly eye. It’ll make a cute keepsake of one of your child’s favorite characters with the added nostalgia of seeing their cute little handprint whenever you look at it.
Johnny Appleseed Paper Bag Puppet from naturalbeachliving.com: This craft is perfect for getting young readers interested in history. To make this Johnny Appleseed puppet, you’ll need a paper bag and the printable template. Once the glue on your bag is dry and Johnny’s face has been added to it, you can use him to tell the story of Johnny Appleseed and his journey across America.
Mouse Shape Craft from abcsofliteracy.com: This craft is based on the book If You Take a Mouse to School. Kids can use this craft to read the book and see what happens when you take a mouse with you on a day at school. You’ll need the printable template, glue, and scissors to complete this craft. Since it requires only paper and school supplies, it’s a great craft for the classroom.
Book Crafts for Preschoolers and Kindergarten
Hooray for Fish Craft from artsycraftsymom.com: If your kid has fallen in love with the book Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins, they’ll love making this fish craft. You’ll need some cardboard (an old cereal box will do), markers, scissors, and a pencil for the initial sketch of the fish.
Little ones may need some help drawing the fish, but they’ll love decorating them in all the fun colors.
Narwhal and Jelly Paper Plate Crafts from craftsonsea.co.uk: These Narwhal and Jelly characters from the books by Ben Clanton are an adorable duo. You’ll need paper plates, paint, paintbrushes, and construction paper to make these silly figures. This craft is simple enough that young kids can do it with minimal assistance.
Sassafras Paper Plate Craft from thecrafttrain.com: If your child loves the Zoe and Sassafras series from Asia Citro, they’ll love making their own Sassafras cat character. You’ll need paper plates, paint, scissors, glue, and a few other simple craft supplies to make this cute orange kitty.
Bear Paper Bag Puppet from abcsofliteracy.com: This craft is based on the book Corduroy by Don Freeman. If you have a reader who loves bears, check out this adorable paper bag puppet! You’ll need a brown paper bag, the template, crayons, scissors, and glue. Once your puppet is ready, spread it open so that your child’s hand can fit inside. They’ll enjoy retelling the book while using their puppet! This puppet also comes with a math activity so kids can practice counting.
Where the Wild Things Are Paper Bag Mask from redtedart.com: If your child is obsessed with this classic book by Maurice Sendak, they’ll love making their own paper bag mask to wear while you read the story. You’ll need a large brown paper bag, paper, paint, markers, and any other items you’d like to recreate the characters in the story.
Story Book Craft Ideas
Pete the Cat Headband Craft from simpleeverydaymom.com: Pete the Cat is one groovy cat, and your kid can be one groovy cat, too, in this cool headband. Just print it, color it, cut it out, and tape it, and you’re ready to rock with a cool headband. This would be a fantastic craft for a Pete the Cat birthday party.
Love Monsters from teaching2and3yearolds.com: Rachel Bright’s Love Monster is a sweet, simple story that your child may have recently discovered. If they’re captivated by this tale of love and friendship, pair it with this cute monster craft for some extra fun!
You’ll need construction paper or cardstock, googly eyes, scissors, and glue to make these cute monsters come to life.
Pete the Cat Sock Puppet from abcsofliteracy.com: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons are the subject of this fun sock puppet craft. Isn’t it adorable? This is a great chance to use some really colorful, big buttons in a craft.
Book Crafts
Harry Potter Snow Globe Craft from naturalbeachliving.com: The snowy winter scenes in the books and movies are some of my favorites. For this Harry Potter snow globe craft, you’ll need a clear glass or plastic ball jar, glitter, glycerin, water, glue, and some small Harry Potter characters. This is such a fun Harry Potter craft for kids to do independently or with an adult helper.
You’ll feel like you’re in the Wizarding World yourself each time you give this snow globe a shake.
Ollivander’s Wand Making Craft from naturalbeachliving.com: If your child loves practicing all the magical spells in Harry Potter, they’re going to love this Ollivander’s Wand Making activity. You’ll need some sticks (about 14 inches long), paint, and paintbrushes to make the wand. Once you have those supplies, get to work designing your perfect wand!
Madeline Hat from jinxykids.com: If your child loves Madeline, this cute hat craft is a fun and simple way to remember one of her many adventures.
You’ll need styrofoam plates and bowls, yellow and black paint, a black ribbon, and glue to make this hat craft inspired by Madeline’s classic yellow hat.
Book Themed Crafts
The Scarecrows Wedding Craft from craftsonsea.co.uk: These scarecrow paper bag puppets are such a cute craft to go along with the book The Scarecrows’ Wedding by Julia Donaldson. Just make the hat, hair, and eyes with colored paper, and draw the rest of the features on. It couldn’t be simpler, and this cute duo will be fun to play with while you read the book.
It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse Activity from learningherenthere.com: This felt board activity is a cute way for toddlers and preschoolers to learn about emotions. They can match the eyes and mouth to the pictures in the story as you read through the book.
Harry Potter Bookmarks from redtedart.com: Practice weaving with these bookmarks representing each of the four Hogwarts houses. There’s a video tutorial and step-by-step instructions, so this should be easy for older elementary kids. Which house do you think you’d be in?
Where the Wild Things Are Toilet Paper Roll Craft from hellowonderful.co: This toilet paper roll craft is a simple way for kids to familiarize themselves with the classic book Where the Wild Things Are. You’ll need a couple of empty toilet paper rolls, cardstock, paints, and a few other materials for embellishments.
Little ones will need help with this craft since you’ll also need an Exacto knife, a hot glue gun, and a stapler.
Crafts Based on Dr. Seuss’s Books
Put Me in the Zoo Slime from naturalbeachliving.com: Kids of all ages enjoy playing with this colorful, stretchy, fun material, and it’s a great sensory tool for kids as well.
To make this Put Me in the Zoo Slime, you’ll need clear Elmer’s Glue, Elmer’s Magical Liquid, and mini pom-poms in lots of different colors.
Put Me in the Zoo Paper Bag Puppet from simpleeverydaymom.com: It’s your favorite spotted leopard in a fun paper bag puppet form! Use the printable template to pull this puppet together quickly. He’ll be ready for storytime in a flash.
Put Me in the Zoo Paper Plate Craft from naturalbeachliving.com: For this Put Me in the Zoo Craft, you’ll need a paper plate, yellow tissue paper, lots of colorful pom-poms, googly eyes, and a black pipe cleaner. You’ll have a cute, spotted leopard in no time.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 Bookmarks from artsycraftsmom.com: Add a little humor to your child’s books with these Thing 1 and Thing 2 bookmarks. If you’re familiar with Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, you’ll recognize the shapes of these two crazy characters in this craft!
You can make a bookmark for each one or just choose one—they both use the same template.
Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat Craft from naturalbeachliving.com: Look as dapper as the Cat in the Hat with this fun craft made with a Solo cup, a paper plate, and some elastic. This is such a fun craft for your preschoolers. They’ll want to wear their hats all day!
Paper Plate Cat in the Hat from artsycraftsymom.com: If you’ve got some paper plates and paint lying around, let your child’s imagination take flight with a Paper Plate Cat in the Hat craft.
You’ll need paper plates, red, black, and white paint, and small paintbrushes to give this little kitty some whiskers. Add a red bowtie onto the bottom for an added touch of the classic character.
The Lorax Paper Bag Puppet from naturalbeachliving.com: Remember the Lorax from the famous Dr. Seuss book? Here’s a fun paper bag puppet version of him to commemorate that book! You’ll need a paper bag, some glue, and the printable template for this craft. When your Lorax is finished, put your hand inside and move it around as you read through the book.
Toilet Paper Roll Lorax from artsycraftsymom.com: The Lorax has been one of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved books for over 50 years. If your child loves this story, they’ll love making a Toilet Paper Roll Lorax craft. You’ll need toilet paper rolls, construction paper or cardstock, scissors, and glue to create your own lovable Lorax character.
The Lorax Paper Plate Craft from naturalbeachliving.com: To make this book character craft, you’ll need a paper plate, orange paint, glue, and the Lorax template. First, paint your plate orange like the Lorax. Then add the pieces from the printable template, and he’ll be ready in no time.
Horton Hears a Who Quilled Paper Craft from artsycraftsymom.com: If your child is fascinated with the book Horton Hears a Who, they’ll enjoy making this quilled papercraft. You’ll need craft paper, quilling strips, a quilling tool, scissors, glue, and a Sharpie to create this adorable character.
This craft will take some time (and patience), but once it’s completed, it will be a lovely keepsake of one of your child’s favorite books.
The Lorax Handprint Craft from simplisticallyliving.com: This handprint craft is based on one of Dr. Seuss’ most famous stories, The Lorax. It’s a great way to make the character and the story more personal for your child. You’ll need some paper, glue, scissors, and googly eyes to make this fun orange character.
10 Apples Up on Top Activity from learningherenthere.com: Here’s another felt board idea for this fun Dr. Seuss book! Kids will have such fun stacking the felt apples on top of the characters’ heads. It’s a great way to practice counting with little ones.
Book Inspired Crafts
As a parent, one of the things that I love most about craft projects is that they often allow us to share our interests with our kids. This article has given you 31 creative and simple crafts for children based on some popular books!
If your little one loves any of these characters or stories, this list should provide some inspiration. You can also use these suggestions as party activities for birthday parties—they’re bound to be hits among parents and their kids alike!