Groundhog Day Paper Bag Puppet Craft

It’s almost February 2nd!  Groundhog Day is usually an overlooked holiday but it is worth celebrating with toddlers and young children.  It teaches them about hibernation, the changing of the seasons, and well, groundhogs are just plain cute. Here’s a fun and easy craft to celebrate Punxsutawney Phil and the anticipation of spring this Groundhog Day!

Supplies

• brown paper lunch bag

• brown felt* (head, body, hands)

• white felt* (teeth)

• black felt* (nose)

• 2 large googly eyes, 24 or 28 mm work best

• 2 black or brown pipe cleaners

• black Sharpie or marker

• scissors (blunt tip if children are cutting)

• hot glue gun (adult use only)

*If you don't have felt fabric sheets on hand you can use any heavyweight paper instead such as cardstock or construction paper*

Instructions

1. Print the downloadable puppet template below and cut out parts to trace. NOTE: If you are using googly eyes then you do not need to cut out the eyeballs.

Groundhog Paper Bag Puppet Activity

.pdf

Download PDF • 970KB

2. Once you have all of the parts, trace the head and hands on the brown fabric, the nose on the black fabric, and the teeth on the white fabric.  Then trace the body of the paper bag onto the brown fabric and cut out a rectangle.  It should cover the surface area of the front of the paper bag, not including the flap. 

3. Glue each piece onto the paper bag as shown in the photos below. If using a hot glue gun, this step should be completed by adults ONLY and away from children. If children would like to help you can try to use regular crafting glue but the pieces may not stick as well if using felt materials. 

4. Cut the pipe cleaners to form the whiskers. You can bend/twist them at the bottom to make two sets of three and then glue on each side of the nose.

5. Draw a line with the sharpie or marker down the middle of the mouth to form two teeth.  Add eyebrows, inner ears, and any other details your children want on their groundhog and let the puppet show begin!

More Ways to Celebrate Groundhog Day:

- Have the puppet sing a song with children.  This one should be sung to the same rhythm as “I’m a Little Teapot” :

Here's a little groundhog, furry and brown,

He's popping up to look around.

If he sees his shadow, down he'll go.

Six more weeks of winter –

Oh no, snow!!!

But little groundhog, do not fear,

Springtime will surely soon be here!

- Learn about the seasons using a sensory kit or Calendar Chart

- Read the book Grumpy Groundhog or one that teaches children about hibernation such as Animals in Winter or Winter Sleep

-Watch Punxsutawney Phil's prediction and the official Groundhog Day celebration on PCN-TV - The celebration starts at 6am EST with the main event at roughly 7:30am if you livestream, but the news station always uploads a recording too!