Today I am sharing this fantastic 3 Pirates Craft here on The Inspiration Edit and I sure hope you love it. We have a few pirate paper bag tutorials for you to read and a fantastic free template for Captain Hook. Enjoy!
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Perfect for Pretend Play: Once they’re made, the pirate puppets are ready to sail the seven seas (aka your living room).
- Boosts Creativity: Kids can decorate their pirates with wild beards, eye patches, and goofy grins.
- Keeps ‘Em Busy: A hands-on craft that gives you a few minutes to sip your coffee while they craft away.
🎨 Supplies Needed
RELATED POST: 21 EASY AND SIMPLE PAPER BAG CRAFTS
🖌️How to Make Pirate Puppets
Cut large squares of cardstock or construction paper and glue onto a 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. 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.
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 coloured paper, cut out, and glue onto the top of the pirate’s heads.
Cut pieces of coloured paper to add accents to the bandana’s. 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.
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.
Use a black marker to add a nose, mouth and beard stubble on the boy pirates.
Trace the sword template onto cardstock, cut out, glue together and glue onto the side of your pirates.
💡 Pro Tip: Consider creating a whole crew by making variations like a pink pirate or Captain Hook. This not only diversifies the activity but also encourages storytelling and imaginative play.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Use Sturdy Paper Bags: Use thick, sturdy paper bags to create a more durable base for your pirate puppet, ensuring it holds up during repeated play and doesn't lose its shape.
- Add Movable Features: Attach a small piece of string or ribbon to the puppet’s hand to simulate a swinging sword. This extra detail enhances the play experience and makes the puppet feel more dynamic.
- Custom Pirate Costumes: Instead of just using paper for the clothing, allow kids to design their pirate costume using fabric scraps or old t-shirts. This gives the puppet a more personalized and authentic look.
- Layer for Depth: For the pirate hat, layer pieces of dark and light-colored paper to give the hat a 3D effect, making it stand out against the flat paper bag surface.
- Create Character-Specific Features: Design different pirate facial expressions by using materials like buttons or googly eyes, which adds variety to each puppet and makes each pirate feel unique.
- Use a Pirate Ship Backdrop: Create a simple pirate ship backdrop out of cardboard to enhance the puppet play. This helps set the stage for pirate-themed storytelling and adds to the imaginative fun.
💭 FAQs
Shouting “Ahoy!” in character lets kids practice louder, clearer speech, improving volume control, diction, and confidence during playful performances.
Acting out voyages with compasses and simple maps introduces cardinal directions and basic geography, linking imaginative play to real-world orientation skills.
Placing a single eye patch shows how intentional imbalance adds personality, helping children grasp how asymmetry creates visual interest and contrast.
Brushing gold onto coins or belt buckles lets kids observe reflective pigments, teaching how light interacts differently with matte versus shiny finishes.
3 Pirates Paper Bag Craft
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- White Paper Bag
- Glue Stick
- Gold Glitter Paper Stock
- Black Marker
Instructions
- Cut large squares of cardstock or construction paper and glue onto a 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. 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.
- 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 coloured paper, cut out and glue onto the top of the pirate’s heads.
- Cut pieces of coloured paper to add accents to the bandana’s. 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.
- 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.
- Use a black marker to add a nose, mouth and beard stubble on the boy pirates.
- Trace the sword template onto cardstock, cut out, glue together and glue onto the side of your pirates.
Visit Our Paper Bag Captain Hook Tutorial Today!
Check Out Our Pink Pirate Paper Bag Craft Here!
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These bags are so bright and colourful,my grandchildren would love to make them!