Ever since I watched the movie Peter Pan as a child I have enjoyed movies and cartoons about Pirates. As a preschool teacher we had a favorite Pirate themed song which the kids loved. Today we have a fantastic Paper Bag Pirate Puppet craft which I am sure you will love making with the little ones. Enjoy.
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Super Simple: Just paper bags, glue, and a few creative details—easy to make and customize.
- Endless Creativity: Add pirate hats, eye patches, and colorful clothing to make each puppet unique.
- Awesome for Parties or Classroom Fun: A hit for pirate-themed parties, playtime, or classroom activities!.
🎨 Supplies Needed
🖌️How to Make a Pirate Puppet
Download and print out the template. Cut the template out. Cut large squares of cardstock or construction paper and glue onto the paper bag. You want to glue on the side that the square bottom flaps up.
Glue strips of paper onto the bags to give the shirts some stripes. (refer to the photo)
Glue a brown strip of paper across the paper bag to give the pirates a belt. Use scissors to trim off any excess paper from the sides.
For the pirate with the vest: Fold a piece of paper in half and create a jagged vest, cutting all the way around to create 2 identical pieces. Glue the vest onto the pirate’s shirt. Use paper to add more details.
For the pirate with the hat: Fold a white piece of paper in half and cut a “fluffy” shape out. (refer to the photo) Unfold the paper and glue onto the pirate’s shirt.
Cut rectangles from gold glitter foam or cardstock. Glue onto the pirate’s belts. Cut a small rectangle from black paper and glue into the center of the belts.
Trace the head template onto flesh toned paper. Cut out and glue onto the top of the paper bag.
Trace the bandana template onto colored paper, cut out and glue onto the top of the pirate’s heads.
Cut pieces of colored paper to add accents to the bandana’s. (refer to the photo). Cut hair pieces from coloured paper and slip under the bandana/and or hat while the glue is still wet. Cut earrings from gold glitter foam or paper and glue onto the pirate’s ears.
For the pirate with the hat: Trace the hat template onto black paper and cut out. Add yellow accents with paper and use white paper to create a skull and crossbone. Glue the hat together. Glue the hat onto the top of the pirate’s head.
Trace the eye template onto white and black cardstock.
Glue the eyes together and then glue them onto the pirate’s face.
For the pirate with the hat. Trace the mustache template onto paper, cut out and glue onto the pirate’s face.
For the girl pirate: Use black paper to add eyelashes to her eyes.
Use a black marker to add a nose, mouth and beard stubble on the boy pirates.
Trace the sword/and or hook template onto cardstock, cut out, glue together and glue onto the side of your pirates.
💡 Pro Tip: For group settings, label the inside of each bag with a child’s name using a sticker to keep things organized during classroom or party activities.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Adjust for Hand Size: Cut the bag slightly shorter if it's too long for smaller hands, making it easier for kids to control without losing grip.
- Anchor Loose Parts: Reinforce glued sections like hats or beards with a small piece of tape inside the bag to prevent peeling during use.
- Pre-Fold the Bag Flap: Fold and press the puppet flap ahead of time to create a firmer crease, which helps the puppet mouth move more smoothly.
- Limit Weight on Top: Avoid stacking too many pieces on the puppet’s head area, as excess weight can cause it to tip or collapse during use.
- Test Movement First: Before adding features, open and close the bag a few times to ensure it flexes easily and won’t stick when animated.
- Keep Storage Simple: Store finished puppets upright in a box or shoe organizer so kids can easily grab them without damaging their shape.
💭 FAQs
They support storytelling, build creative expression, and help children explore characters through safe, imaginative role-play in everyday settings.
Handling paper bag puppets improves grip, hand control, and coordination during play-based learning and simple movement activities.
Kids use puppets to create roles, invent dialogue, and develop playful scenarios that expand their imagination over repeated use.
Working together on puppet shows teaches turn-taking, listening, and shared problem-solving in fun and low-pressure group environments.
Download Printable
Get your free Printable Pirate Template For Paper Bags now!
Paper Bag Pirate Puppets
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Construction Paper
- White Paper Bag
- Glue Stick
- Gold Glitter Paper Stock
- Black Marker
Instructions
- Download and print out the template. Cut the template out. Cut large squares of card stock or construction paper and glue onto the paper bag. You want to glue on the side that the square bottom flaps up.
- Glue strips of paper onto the bags to give the shirts some stripes. (refer to the photo)
- Glue a brown strip of paper across the paper bag to give the pirates a belt. Use scissors to trim off any excess paper from the sides.
- For the pirate with the vest: Fold a piece of paper in half and create a jagged vest, cutting all the way around to create 2 identical pieces. Glue the vest onto the pirate’s shirt. Use paper to add more details.
- For the pirate with the hat: Fold a white piece of paper in half and cut a “fluffy” shape out. (refer to the photo) Unfold the paper and glue onto the pirate’s shirt.
- Cut rectangles from gold glitter foam or card stock. Glue onto the pirate’s belts. Cut a small rectangle from black paper and glue into the center of the belts.
- Trace the head template onto flesh toned paper. Cut out and glue onto the top of the paper bag.
- Trace the bandana template onto colored paper, cut out and glue onto the top of the pirate’s heads.
- Cut pieces of colored paper to add accents to the bandana’s. (refer to the photo). Cut hair pieces from coloured paper and slip under the bandana/and or hat while the glue is still wet. Cut earrings from gold glitter foam or paper and glue onto the pirate’s ears.
- For the pirate with the hat: Trace the hat template onto black paper and cut out. Add yellow accents with paper and use white paper to create a skull and cross bone. Glue together. Glue the hat onto the top of the pirate’s head.
- Trace the eye template onto white and black cardstock.
- Glue the eyes together and then glue them onto the pirate’s face.
- For the pirate with the hat. Trace the mustache template onto paper, cut out and glue onto the pirate’s face.
- For the girl pirate: Use black paper to add eyelashes to her eyes.
- Use a black marker to add a nose, mouth and beard stubble on the boy pirates.
- Trace the sword/and or hook template onto cardstock, cut out, glue together and glue onto the side of your pirates.
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