Materials
Newspaper
paper lunch bags
paintbrushes
washable paint in a variety of colors
glitter (optional)
rubber bands, thick yarn, or ribbon
scissors
yellow pipe cleaners and other assorted colors
hot glue gun (adult only)
craft eyes
thick craft glue
burlap sheets
Instructions
1. Cover the work surface with newspaper this is a messy activity! Give each
child a paper bag. Ask them to lay their bags flat and paint each side using
whatever color paint they desire. Let the paint dry a bit and then ask the
children to unfold their bag and place it over one hand so they can paint the
areas previously hidden (under flaps, and so on). If using glitter, let the
children sprinkle it on the bags now. Dry them on a puppet stand, if available.
Author Note: I use washable paint, place each bag on newspaper, and prop
them against a wall.
2. When the bags are dry, demonstrate how to ball up a piece of newspaper
and stuff it into one corner of the bottom of the bag. Smooth the rounded
end and twist at the "neck." Secure with a rubber band, thick yarn, or ribbon.
3. Fan the back of the paper bag. With scissors, cut the back end into strips up
to 1/2 " from the neck. This will resemble feathers. Help the children, if needed.
4. Show them how to lay two yellow pipe cleaners flat on the table to resemble
a "T." Bend all four ends downward; join the bottom tips and twist. Bow a
little at the middle. This creates a somewhat three-dimensional beak.
5. With a pencil or pen, poke a small hole in the middle of the head. Insert the
joined ends of the beak and attach it with hot glue (adult only).
6. Above the beak, glue two craft "googly" eyes (adult only).
7. Next, show the children how to cut out two wings from burlap sheets to
resemble a triangle shape.
8. Cut two pipe cleaners (any color) into six 2" pieces. Glue three pieces on the
back of each wing to make them sturdy.
9. Using thick craft glue or hot glue, help the children glue each wing behind
the head on either side. Ta da! You have made a bird!
10. If desired, tie yarn around the necks and hang them from the ceiling.
Author Note: My class worked on this project as spring arrived. We created a
spring-theme bulletin board and hung the birds from the ceiling above it. We
also discussed how animal babies, like birds, are usually born in the spring. We
looked for nests, tried to catch signs of birds making nests or collecting material
to build them, sang spring- and bird-related songs and fingerplays, and read
books pertaining to birds and springtime.
