This lesson plan details how to create imaginative paper bag leaf puppets in the early childhood classroom. This simple craft ties into a fall or autumn theme, and can be utilized during pretend or dramatic play times. Change the difficulty level by slightly altering the lesson for either older or younger students.
Lesson Objectives for the Paper Bag Autumn Leaf Puppet
- Explore art materials and process.
- Increase fine motor development.
- Learn about the environment.
- Gain awareness of the seasons (especially fall).
- Develop creative thinking and problem solving skills.
- Recognize and re-create facial features.
- Gain shape recognition skills.
Student Grade/ Age Level
This activity works well for preschool aged children of approximately three to five years old. The lesson plan can easily be adapted for older or younger students.
Materials Needed to Create Fall Puppets in the Preschool Classroom
- Paper bags (regular lunch bag sized)
- Autumn leaves
- Glue (clear drying, non-toxic school glue)
- Markers
- Scissors
Steps to Create Fall Leaf Puppets with Children
Pre-activity
Before beginning this activity it will be necessary to collect fall leaves. Turn this into a class field trip. Hand each child his or her own paper bag and begin the leaf search. Go outside and look for fallen autumn leaves in a variety of colors. Ask the children to name the colors of the leaves that have been collected.
Process Steps
- Ask the children to empty the collected leaves onto a table or suitable workspace.
- Have the children fold the paper bags back to a play position. Turn the bag over so that the bottom part (the rectangle shape) is on the top.
- Give the children markers to draw a face on the rectangle part of the bag. Encourage the children to draw the top part of the mouth on the bottom of the rectangle and the bottom part of the mouth on the main part of the bag.
- Have the children select a few leaves. These will be used for hair. Ask the children to glue the leaves to the top of the bag near the puppet’s face. These may be cut to fit.
- Set aside to dry.
- Once dry the children can create an imaginative puppet play! Place hand in the bag and put the four fingers in the top part, and the thumb under the flap.
Puppet Making Lesson Wrap Up
After the puppets have been created and are dry, ask the children to discuss the art process. Example discussion starters include:
- What was fun about this project?
- How did the leaves stay on the puppet?
- What shape were the eyes on the puppet?
- What can the puppet do?
- What is the puppet’s name?
Preschool Enrichment Activities for the Puppet Art Project
Add one of these fun enrichment activities to this art project lesson.
- Puppet Theater: Create a small stage or a puppet theater and put on a play.
- Fall Leaf Collage: After gluing the autumn leaves in this project, try making another fall glue masterpiece.
- Nature/Science: Talk about the natural world, the seasons, and plants.
- Literacy: Read a fall themed book.
Fall is a great time to utilize the vibrant colors found in nature. Go on a leaf collecting field trip, and then turn the findings into a fun craft puppet. This puppet making activity can be used as it is or altered to fit the needs of the specific classroom.
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