Toddler at Play | Kids Crafts & Activities

8 Animal Crafts for Kids

cardboard sheep craft- toddler at play (3)

Take a look at these fun and easy Animal Crafts for Kids!

I wanted to share with you a few animal-themed craft ideas, because they’re always fun! All of these crafts are super easy to make, with simple material list and lots of fun!

related: Easy paper plate crafts for kids

Let’s get started!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post contains affiliate links- this just means I earn a small commission if you purchase via links below, no extra cost to you! Read our disclosure policy here.

#1: Handprint Turtle Craft 

Kids are going to love this Handprint Turtle Craft!

materials:

Optional:

  • Paper plate
  • Q-tip

 

Instructions:

  • Trace your child’s hand on the green card stock using a pen or pencil. When tracing the thumb, make it a little bit bigger, this will be the head.
  • Next, cut out the handprint. Older kids can probably do this step on their own.
  • Prepare the glue by placing a little bit of liquid school glue onto the paper plate and place the q-tip onto the plate. This step lets younger kids apply the glue more easily, but you can skip this step all together if your kids are able to squeeze the glue bottles with no problem.
  • Next, glue the pom-poms onto the palm of the handprint. Let set.
  • Lastly, add the googly eye, draw a smile with the pen and a few details on each foot.

#2: Dandelion Lion Craft

dandelion lion craft- toddler at play (5)

This Dandelion Lion Craft is a fun way to use up a piece of cardboard and make something beautiful using nature around us!

materials:

 

Instructions:

  • Cut the cardboard into a circle using the craft scissors.
  • The fun part! Go outdoors on a hunt for dandelions! Collect as many as you can find so you can make a nice, bushy mane for the lion!
  • Glue the dandelion flowers all around the edge of your cardboard circle. Let the glue firm up.
  • Using the permanent marker or crayons (brown or black) draw a simple face for the lion. Add googly eyes if using.

#3: Paper Plate Bunny Craft

paper plate bunny craft- toddler at play

If you’re looking for a cute Spring craft for kids then you’ll love this Paper Plate Bunny Craft! It’s super fun to make and kids will love the easy steps for creating their adorable little fluffy friend.

materials for Paper Plate Bunny Craft:

 

Instructions:

  • Begin by prepping a few of the materials ahead of time. This will only take 5 minutes. Place a bit of the gray paint onto a paper plate and set the foam paintbrush beside.
  • Cut long ears out of the gray felt. They don’t have to be perfect!
  • Cut a small heart out of the pink felt for the nose.
  • Allow the kids to paint the paper plate with the gray paint, let dry.
  • Hot glue the ears to the back of the paper plate. HOT GLUE GUN SHOULD BE USED BY THE ADULT!
  • Once the paint is dry, use the hot glue gun to glue the 2 pipecleaners (bent, for the whiskers).
  • Hot glue the heart for the nose, right on top of the whiskers.
  • Using the permanent marker, draw a simple face for the bunny (I suggest this step for the adults as well, unless using a washable marker)

related: 25+ easy spring crafts and activities for kids

#4: Button Turtle Craft

This Button Turtle Craft is a fun recycled crafts idea for kids!

materials:

 

Instructions:

  • Using the craft knife and mat, cut a circle of about 3 inches, 5 semi ovals (1 inch each) and a small pointy triangle out of the cardboard. These will be the body, legs, head and tail.
  • Next, let the kids construct the turtle. Glue the head, legs and tail to the underside of the body. Let dry a bit to firm up.
  • Now flip over and decorate the top of the turtle by gluing the assorted buttons. Let dry.
  • Lastly, using the permanent marker, draw the eyes and smile for the turtle. 

TIP- using assorted buttons allows kids to pick and choose which color they want to glue. They can come up with patterns using sizes, colors, etc. The creative possibilities are endless!

#5: Cardboard Sheep Craft

cardboard sheep craft- toddler at play (3)

If you have a cardboard box at home, don’t toss it yet. Create these adorable and soft Cardboard Sheep!

materials:

 

Instructions:

  • Begin by drawing a simple sheep outline on the cardboard using a pencil (approx. 4″ x 5″). It doesn’t have to be perfect, just make it look like a fluffy cloud or simply make an oval! Cut out.
  • Add the liquid school glue to the paper plate and prepare the q-tip or paintbrush. This spares little ones dealing with the squeezable glue bottles which can be hard for small children.
  • Let the kids use the q-tip to apply the glue to the cardboard sheep and stick the cotton balls to create a fluffy sheep.
  • Once all of the empty spots on the cardboard are covered with cotton balls, draw a face for the sheep using the permanent marker (adults should do this step). Alternatively, kids can do this step using a colored pencil/crayon.
  • Add 2 clothespins for the legs and your sheep is done!

#6: Fork Stamped Hedgehog Craft

Who’s in for a cute hedgehog craft? This Fork Stamped Hedgehog Craft is precious, super easy to prep and loads of fun. After all, kids are using a FORK to make the hedgehog all needle-ish!

MATERIALS for Fork stamped Hedgehog:

 

Instructions:

  • First, draw a simple hedgehog on the white cardstock using the crayons. You can color in the hedgehog or leave as an outline.
  • Prepare the paint (pour a bit of each color onto a paper plate), fork, googly eye and pom-pom for the child to use.

Simply press the back side of a fork into the paint and stamp all over the hedgehog body.

When finished making the needles on the hedgehog, glue the pom-pom for the nose and googly eyes.

related: fork stamped tulips craft

#7: Cardboard Woodland Animal Puppets

cardboard woodland animal puppets - toddler at play (4)

These Cardboard Woodland Animal Puppets are a fun recycled craft idea for kids of any age. 

Materials:

 

Instructions:

  • Using the craft scissors or craft knife/mat (which ever is easier for you), cut out a deer, bear and a fox out of the cardboard. THIS STEP IS FOR ADULTS. 
  • Next, place a little bit of black and white washable kids paint onto a paper plate (optional). You can simplify this step and dip the paintbrush right into the paint bottle, washing the paintbrush in between colors.
  • Using the white paint, color in the ears for each animal and then parts of the face (refer to the picture below). Let the paint dry.
  • Next, using the hot glue gun, glue the small black pom-poms for the noses. THIS STEP IS FOR ADULTS.
  • Now, once the white paint has dried a bit, add the eyes using the black paint. Let dry.
  • Lastly, using the hot glue gun, glue the popsicle stick to the black of each animal. THIS STEP IS FOR ADULTS.

related: 40+ cardboard ideas for kids

#8: Pine Needle Hedgehog Craft

pine needle hedgehog craft - toddler at play (4)This Pine Needle Hedgehog Craft is a simple, fun way to use those good old pine needles!

Materials:

 

Instructions:

  • Take a large chunk of play-dough and roll it out on the table to create an even layer.
  • Using the toy pizza cutter, carefully cut away extra play-dough to make a hedgehog body. You can help your little ones with this step.
  • Add the peppercorn for the eye, pressing it in slightly.
  • Add the small pom-pom for the nose, pressing it in slightly.
  • Now, layer the pine needles starting at the top of the hedgehog and working your way down. Press the pine needles into the play-dough so they stay securely in place.

 

Enjoy these crafts!

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