25 Paper Bag Fall Crafts Kids Will Love Making

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If you’ve got lunch bags in the cupboard, you’ve already got the start of something creative. These paper bag fall crafts turn simple materials into adorable characters, puppets, and decorations perfect for the season. There’s something here for every age: apples, owls, or woodland friends.

Need more inspiration for autumn? Be sure to check out our full collection of fall crafts for even more cozy ideas to keep kids busy and smiling.

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Paper Bag Fall Crafts

Johnny Appleseed Puppet

Kids will love creating their puppet of a famous American folk hero using just a few basic supplies and a printable template. This character ties art with storytelling—children can act out the legend after making their puppet, complete with the hero's signature cooking-pot hat—a fun way to blend a bit of history with hands-on creativity.

buggyandbuddy.com

Stuffed Paper Apples

Children sponge-paint paper to get a bright apple color, then lace two cutout apple shapes together with yarn and stuff them with crumpled paper. The puffy shape gives them a tactile feel and makes them perfect for imaginative play.

This project also sneaks in fine motor practice while looking great on a fall display table.

Related: Apple Dot To Dots

barleyandbirch.com

Paper Bag Mushrooms

Lunch bags get crumpled and painted to create soft mushroom caps, then attached to real sticks for woodland-style stems. Kids can go natural or add bright red paint and white dots for toadstool fun. These make cute table decorations or props for fairy-tale play scenes.

Acorn Paper Bag

A paper bag becomes a friendly acorn puppet when topped with a paper “cap” and a simple face. Kids can personalize it with stickers, drawings, or wiggly eyes for extra charm. The top flap works like a mouth, making it a fun addition to any fall puppet collection.

nontoygifts.com

Paper Bag Owl

A printable template helps kids turn a paper bag into a colorful owl with handprint wings. Using markers, crayons, or paint lets them personalize the feathers and face. The finished puppet is perfect for fall or nighttime animal themes.

Also try: Owl Dot To Dot

kidsactivitiesblog.com

Paper Bag Tree

Cutting a grocery bag into trunk and leaf shapes gives kids a blank tree to decorate with seasonal paint colors. Cookie cutters dipped in paint are easy stamps to create a leafy canopy. The tree is flexible enough for any season, from bright spring to rich fall tones.

Pumpkin Puppet

Using simple cutouts and glue, turn a brown paper bag into a smiling pumpkin character. The puppet opens and closes its mouth for silly seasonal fun. This activity is great for a fall puppet show or a quick and cheerful art station at school.

artsymomma.com

Chester the Raccoon Puppet

Inspired by The Kissing Hand, kids make a raccoon puppet with gray and black shapes glued to a paper bag. A tiny red heart on the hand ties in the story's message of comfort and love. It's an entertaining art for easing first-day-of-school nerves.

Related: Raccoon Handprint Craft

barleyandbirch.com

Stuffed Paper Bag Acorn Portraits

Kids draw funny or expressive faces on acorn shapes made from brown paper bags. Once stuffed and sealed, the acorns puff up and become little portraits packed with personality. This unique twist on a fall project invites both humor and creativity.

Also try: Paper Plate Acorn Craft

Paper Bag Apple

A red paper bag apple comes to life with an expressive face and a simple worm cutout. Kids can color in the printable parts with markers or crayons. Once done, it makes a cheerful puppet great for harvest themes or apple unit studies.

www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com

Fall Paper Bag Tree

With a few snips and twists, a paper bag becomes the trunk and branches of a sturdy fall tree. Kids glue tissue paper or colored paper leaves onto the ends for a burst of seasonal color. It's hands-on and makes an excellent autumn centerpiece.

Related: Apple Tree Name Craft

www.naturalbeachliving.com

Fall Tree Paper Bag

After twisting paper bag strips to make branches, kids tear small scraps of tissue paper for vibrant leaves. This process builds fine motor skills while giving each tree its own look. It is great for preschoolers and tactile learners who enjoy shaping and sticking.

Also try: Handprint Apple Tree Craft

light green and dark green corn puppet craft for kids

Paper Bag Corn

Kids create a husky ear of corn using a paper bag, yellow paint, and green construction paper. The bag becomes the cob, and the layered green paper leaves give it a realistic touch. This activity is ideal for Thanksgiving or fall harvest learning themes.

www.messymommacrafts.com

Paper Bag Scarecrow Puppet

Kids color a cheerful scarecrow face and decorate it with paper hats, overalls, and hair. Then, they glue the entire design onto a paper bag for instant puppet fun.

The activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills while offering a playful way to celebrate the season. It's also great for fall-themed displays or pretend play.

Related: Scarecrow Photo Craft

iheartcraftythings.com

Paper Bag Skunk

A large stripe, cute snout, and big eyes give this skunk its cartoon-style charm. Kids use basic shapes to piece together their puppet with scissors and glue. It's great for pairing with books about forest animals or a themed puppet show.

Also try: Paper Plate Skunk Craft

Fox Paper Bag

Orange, white, and black construction paper transforms a paper bag into a clever little fox. Using a printable template keeps assembly frustration-free and straightforward. Children will enjoy playing with their fox after making it, especially during a woodland animals unit.

nontoygifts.com

Stuffed Paper Apple

Two cutout apples are painted or colored, then stuffed with crumpled paper to give a plush look. The sewing option with yarn helps build lacing skills, or kids can simply glue the edges. Ideal for younger children needing a quiet, seasonal art activity.

Related: Apple Picking Craft

www.hellowonderful.co

Paper Bag Woodland Animal

Kids can make a whole forest of animals using paint, scissors, and folded paper bags. From owls to foxes and raccoons, each character has its ears, tails, and coloring. The standing paper bags make great storytelling props or imaginative play starters.

Also try: Woodland Animal Coloring Pages

Paper Bag Scarecrow

Brown bags, paper hats, and raffia-style paper hair combine to make a friendly fall scarecrow puppet. Kids can mix and match colors for cheeks, buttons, and clothes. The finished result works well for seasonal storytelling or window displays.

www.adabofgluewilldo.com

Paper Bag Apple

Children paint and stuff a lunch bag, then tie the top to resemble an apple with a pipe cleaner stem. The process is quick and hands-on, and the shape feels realistic once puffed up. It's a fun sensory project and also makes a sweet teacher gift.

Related: Apple Tracing Worksheets

iheartcraftythings.com

Paper Bag Chipmunk

This chipmunk puppet includes bold stripes, tiny ears, and a wide smile. Kids bring the critter to life using simple paper shapes and can even add a little acorn for extra flair. It fits nicely into fall or hibernation-themed lessons.

Skunk Paper Bag Puppet

A black-and-white color scheme makes it easy for kids to create a cute skunk using printable pieces. The fluffy tail and stripe down the back help it stand out in a lineup of woodland puppets. Great for animal studies or a puppet show with personality.

www.lookwerelearning.com

Woodland Animal Paper Bag

Orange paper and black-and-white accents create a classic fox look that's easy for little ones. Cut and glue the parts onto a paper bag and let kids explore and play afterward. Makes a fun companion for books, stories, or woodland units.

Also try: Forest Animal Coloring Pages

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Paper Bag Fox Puppet

This version is 3D, with legs, a tail, and a soft tissue paper coat glued onto a paper bag. Once finished, the puppet stands upright and feels more like a toy than a flat activity. It's an exciting twist that lets kids bring their forest friend to life through pretend play.

Related: Handprint Fox Craft

Squirrel Puppet

A big, fluffy tail and round cheeks give this squirrel lots of charm. Kids use a printable template to create the face, arms, and tail before gluing them to the bag. Perfect for acting out forest stories or simply having fun with animal characters.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

30 Fun Turkey Activities For Kids
11 Adorable Scarecrow Activities For Preschoolers
25 Simple & Cute Fall Handprint Crafts For Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

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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.

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