Last Updated on August 23, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Looking for simple back-to-school paper crafts for older kids? This crayon puppet matches perfectly with this backpack paper bag puppet and will make for an amazing afternoon crafting session or a classroom activity.
List of Supplies:
- Colored craft papers
- Paper bag
- Pencil
- Template (download below for free)
- A pair of scissors
- Craft glue
- Markers for the outlines. They make the craft look complete but can be optional.
Instructions for Box of Pencil Paper Bag Puppet:
Step 1:
Download the template and prepare the patterns for the pencil puppet. Select colored craft papers of your choice, or select colored papers for a the popular pencil pattern (yellow pencil and pink eraser). Trace the template patterns onto the selected papers with a pencil. Use scissors to cut out the traced patterns.
Step 2:
Glue the pencil lead to the tip of the wood part. Glue the band cutout to a side of the eraser cutout.
Step 3:
Select a paper bag (small size, 8”) and prepare a yellow paper to cover any one side of the paper bag.
Step 4:
Glue the prepared yellow paper to a side of the paper bag. This will be the yellow colored body of the pencil. Flatten the bottom end of the paper bag on top of the yellow paper side. The flattened bottom part will be the tip of the pencil puppet.
Step 5:
Glue the wooden tip of the pencil to the flattened bottom part of the paper bag, with the tip pointing upward.
Step 6:
Glue the eraser pattern to the other (open) end of the yellow paper attached to the paper bag.
Step 7:
Glue the eyes and the blush spots to the yellow part of the craft.
Step 8:
Use a black marker to draw the mouth line.
Step 9:
Use matching markers to add outlines to the completed paper bag pencil puppet. This will give the puppet a finished look.
Instructions fo Paper Bag Backpack Puppet:
Step 1:
Download the template and prepare the patterns for the backpack puppet. Select different colored craft papers of your choice for the patterns, and trace the patterns onto the selected papers with a pencil. Use scissors to cut out the traced patterns.
Step 2:
Glue the pocket cutout to the bottom part of the backpack base. Glue the handle cutout to the top, middle side of the flap and glue the small rectangle cutout to the middle, bottom part of the flap.
Step 3:
Glue the eyes and blush spots to the base, right above the pocket.
Step 4:
Take a paper bag and glue the base pattern on either side of the paper bag.
Step 5:
Flatten the bottom part of the bag with the base and glue the flap pattern onto the flattened bottom part.
And this is the final look of the two back-to-school paper crafts:
Download the free templates:
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Chiang Mai-based certified teacher, artist, and blogger with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.