26 DIY Christmas Puppet Crafts Perfect For Kids

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Get ready to head foot-first into the festive spirit with adorable Christmas puppet crafts! These puppets are perfect for little hands and encourage imaginative play and storytelling fun.

From classic characters like nutcrackers and reindeer to mischievous Grinch, each puppet invites kids to add their unique touch. Puppets make fantastic holiday decorations or homemade gifts that family and friends will cherish.

Whether you’re a parent looking for an afternoon activity or a teacher wanting to add holiday crafts to your classroom, these puppet ideas are simple and adaptable. Discover more ways to celebrate the season with our Christmas crafts, offering easy-to-follow ideas that keep kids engaged and excited!

So, grab some paper bags, wooden spoons, or printable templates, and let’s make this holiday season one to remember with puppets that capture the magic of Christmas!

Christmas Puppet Ideas

collage image of Christmas puppet crafts with the words, "26 DIY Christmas puppet crafts for kids"

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two finished nutcracker paper bag craft side by side

Nutcracker Paper Bag Puppet

Kids can step into holiday storytelling with a colorful and easy-to-customize Nutcracker paper bag puppet. Creating their unique Nutcracker character adds a touch of festive fun to mini puppet shows and imaginative play.

This activity is perfect for exploring classic holiday tales with a personal twist.

www.easypeasyandfun.com

Printable Christmas Puppets

With just a few snips and glue, printable puppets easily create a whole cast of Christmas characters. Kids can mix and match parts to make each character their own, creating a unique set for holiday fun.

Perfect for a quick, hands-on project, this activity offers plenty of opportunities for festive play.

Related: Santa Paper Bag Puppet Craft

Gingerbread House Paper Bag

Turn an ordinary paper bag into a gingerbread house full of charm and color! Kids can decorate it with candy-inspired designs, capturing the look of a holiday classic without the mess. This project brings out creative holiday cheer and inspires gingerbread-inspired stories.

www.redtedart.com

Elf Paper Puppet

A playful elf puppet with movable parts adds extra fun to holiday crafting! Decorating each elf with bright colors and patterns makes every puppet unique and full of personality. It's a cheerful way to keep little hands busy and imaginations active.

Related: Torn Paper Elf Craft

Elf on the Shelf Paper Bag Puppet

Bring the Elf on the Shelf tradition to life with a puppet that kids can decorate and design. They'll enjoy creating different looks and using their puppet to tell silly or heartwarming holiday stories. This idea brings the season's magic into playtime with a creative twist.

kidscraftroom.com

Reindeer Puppet Greeting Cards

Combine the fun of greeting cards with the excitement of puppets in this clever reindeer craft! Kids will love transforming cards into reindeer puppets that add a playful surprise to their holiday messages. This project is a beautiful way to spread holiday cheer with a touch of creativity.

This is also a fantastic project to try—our torn paper reindeer craft is perfect for stirring up some creative fun this Christmas!

Paper Bag Grinch

Make a Grinch with a big green face and a mischievous grin to capture the classic holiday story in puppet form! Kids will enjoy putting their spin on the Grinch's look, imagining scenes from the beloved tale. This project combines humor and creativity for festive fun.

kidscraftroom.com

Elf Finger Puppet Template

This DIY project lets kids make their very own mini holiday helper! The small size makes it perfect for imaginative play, with endless opportunities for elf adventures. It's a simple yet engaging project that will keep little ones entertained.

Reindeer Paper Bag

This DIY project transforms a simple paper bag into a holiday favorite that kids can play with! They'll enjoy adding details like antlers and a red nose, then making their reindeer dance and prance. It's a joyful project that brings holiday characters to life.

www.easypeasyandfun.com

Build a Santa Puppet Template

Build a jolly Santa with this festive puppet template! Moveable parts make it even more fun as kids bring Santa to life in their holiday stories. It's a charming way to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy hands-on crafting.

Related: Santa Cup Craft

Elf Paper Bag

Creating a mischievous elf from a paper bag lets kids add their style with colorful hats and outfits. Each puppet becomes one-of-a-kind, reflecting the creativity of its maker. It's an entertaining and festive project perfect for the holiday season.

artsymomma.com

Gingerbread Man Puppet

With this holiday-themed project, kids can create their gingerbread characters. Frosting and candy decorations make each puppet unique and bring a sweet touch to the season. This craft invites kids to invent their gingerbread stories for hours of play.

This cute torn paper gingerbread craft is another fun idea to try!

Gingerbread Man Paper Bag Puppet

Designing a gingerbread man puppet lets kids bring a sweet holiday character to life with icing and candy details. They'll enjoy crafting their unique gingerbread friend, perfect for imaginative storytelling. This craft adds a playful touch to holiday celebrations.

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Adorable Reindeer Hand Puppet

Kids will love creating a reindeer puppet with big antlers and a bright red nose! Hands-on crafting lets them bring this festive character to life for hours of holiday play. This activity is a fun way to spark creativity and holiday joy.

Related: Reindeer Paper Cup Craft

finger puppet reindeer craft with fingers

Reindeer Finger Puppet

This finger puppet reindeer is a quick holiday craft perfect for imaginative play. Kids will enjoy decorating their little reindeer and bringing it to life as they slip it onto their fingers. It's a fun, low-prep way to keep the holiday cheer going.

www.kitchentableclassroom.com

Nutcracker Puppets

Bring some ballet magic to playtime with Nutcracker puppets that kids can color and assemble. Each puppet adds to the cast of holiday heroes, ready for storytelling and creative fun. It's entertaining to celebrate the holiday season with a touch of theater.

Give our nutcracker paper cup craft a try for another creative activity that kids will love!

Snowman Stick Puppets

Snowman stick puppets bring a touch of winter wonder to holiday crafting. Kids can add frosty details to their snowman and bring it to life with a simple stick! This project is perfect for imaginative play on a chilly day.

3boysandadog.com

Grinch Popsicle Puppets

Kids can make their own Grinch with this playful popsicle stick puppet activity. It's a fun way to bring the classic green character to life with a personal twist, and this project adds a bit of holiday mischief to their playtime.

Related: Grinch Handprint Craft

www.hellowonderful.co

Photo Christmas Stick Puppets

Turning family photos into Christmas stick puppets gives playtime a personal touch! Kids will love adding family members to their puppet shows, making it a meaningful and creative activity. This project makes for a beautiful holiday keepsake.

Related: Elf Yourself Craft

nontoygifts.com

Wooden Spoon Santa Puppet

This inventive puppet craft transforms an ordinary wooden spoon into Santa himself. Kids can decorate it with Santa's iconic beard and hat, making a cheerful character for holiday play. This simple project is entirely of holiday spirit and creativity.

Related: Santa Paper Plate Craft

www.artycraftykids.com

Printable Reindeer Finger Puppets

These printable reindeer finger puppets are perfect for some holiday fun on the go! Kids can quickly assemble them and then use their fingers to make the reindeer prance around. It's a quick, no-mess activity that will promote creative play.

www.aboutamom.com

Paper Bag Snowman Puppet

This fun snowman craft transforms a simple paper bag into a frosty friend. Kids will enjoy personalizing their snowman with details like a carrot nose and a cozy scarf. It's a creative winter activity that brings holiday magic to life.

Related: Christmasn Snowman Puppet

abcsofliteracy.com

Gingerbread Man Stick Puppets

Make gingerbread stick puppets that kids can use for holiday storytelling. Decorating each puppet with icing and candy-like details lets kids add their creative flair. This activity is a festive way to entertain little ones during the holidays.

www.mommymadethat.com

Christmas Puppets

These Christmas puppets are a fun way for kids to create their holiday characters, from Santa to reindeer. Kids can make puppets and start acting out festive stories with just a few steps. It's a great way to add creative joy to the holiday season.

artsycraftsymom.com

Gingerbread Cookie Puppets Papercraft

This imaginative project turns gingerbread cookie shapes into playful puppets. Kids can decorate and create gingerbread characters for hours of pretend play. This craft is a sweet and engaging way to celebrate the holidays!

Try out our gingerbread man paper cup craft for more creative fun this Christmas!

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

97 Easy & Fun Paper Bag Puppets
58 Easy Christmas Crafts For Kids
30 Festive & Fun Christmas Books For Preschoolers

Sam

Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.

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