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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Crafts

    Paper Bag Donkeys - Donkey Crafts for Kids

    Published: Feb 29, 2016 · Modified: Jun 15, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    With Easter approaching, I have been talking with my kids about the Easter story. While at church child care, the children did a fun donkey craft and this activity was inspired by that.  I was so impressed with what could be done with a paper bag and some felt.  Here are the simple steps - plus a free printable- so you can make these Paper Bag Donkeys at home. Kids can use them to reenact the Easter story or with pretend play. For more free Easter printables check out these 9 Easter Printables. You can also check out these 20 Bible Object Lessons for Kids to help teach kids in a fun way.

    Paper Bag Donkeys - with free printable! We made these as we learned about the Easter story.

    Paper Bag Donkeys

    Supplies you will need:

    • Paper lunch bag
    • Felt
    • Yarn cut in 1 inch pieces
    • Googly eyes (not pictured)
    • Glue
    • Scissors
    • Crayons
    • Donkey head card stock cutout
    paper bag donkeys

    To make the body for the donkey, take a small paper lunch bag and cut a few inches off the part that opens.

    paper bag donkeys

    Then, open the bag and push the ends inside to make it about half its size.

    paper bag donkeys

     This will be a little wrinkled, so you will want to straighten it out and make sure the corners are sharp.

    paper bag donkeys

    You will then cut out 4 rectangles in the middle of each side of the bag.  Once you cut them out you can see where the legs of the donkey will be.

    paper bag donkeys
    paper bag donkeys

    The donkey will be wearing a felt blanket on its back.  To make the blanket, measure some felt that can fit over the donkey's back and go down its sides a bit.  The length will vary depending on how tall you made your donkey.  After you cut out the felt, you will add some glue to the short ends of the felt.  My kids were able to do this themselves. Then we used our pre-cut pieces of yarn to create some fringe.  I just got some leftover yarn from my knitting bag and cut the pieces for the blanket.  You can really customize the look of the donkey by what color felt and yarn you use.

    paper bag donkeys

    After your child has added the fringe to the blanket, have them put some glue on the donkeys back and sides where the blanket will go. I like to pour some glue into a cup and let my kids brush it on with a small paintbrush.

    paper bag donkeys

    Now it's time to put the blanket on the donkey.  I helped with the initial placement just to make sure it was evenly covering the back.  The girls were really good at patting down the glued blanket.

    paper bag donkeys

    I have included a free printable below of the donkey head we used.  Simply print on light colored cardstock and cut out.  I added some details to the head by drawing a nose, mouth and some lines on the ears. The kids had fun coloring the donkey heads with crayons.  They both went with rainbow colored heads because why not?

    paper bag donkeys

    When the donkey face is colored, your child will glue on some googly eyes.

    paper bag donkeys

    It's finally time to glue on the head!

    paper bag donkeys

    Aren't they adorable?  These paper bag donkeys are an easy Easter craft that your child can play with when they're done.

    Paper Bag Donkeys with free printable

    I almost forgot to tell you about the tails! To make some tails for these paper bag donkeys, just cut out a thin strip from your leftover paper bag, add some yarn, and glue to the back of the donkey.  These animals look cute coming or going.  The END!

    If you're interested in some earth-friendly activities for kids, you'll love Green Kid Crafts, the eco-friendly monthly craft subscription box that promotes creativity while teaching kids a love and respect of environment.

    paper bag donkeys

    GET THE DONKEY HEAD PRINTABLE BY CLICKING HERE.

    If you loved the paper bag donkeys check out:

     Baking Soda Easter Eggs

    Free Easter Preschool Worksheets

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicky

      April 20, 2018 at 11:29 am

      So happy to hear that Jackie!

    2. Jackie Crews

      March 21, 2018 at 8:12 am

      Thank you for this donkey. I have used it before on Palm Sunday and it is well received by all. with a group of 25 to 30 completing the craft. I lost the pattern, so this is very helpful!!!

    3. Pearl

      April 30, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      Thanks for this neat craft idea. I'm going to use it with a group of K-3rd graders in Sunday school for our lesson about Balaam and his donkey. 😉

    4. Pschooltoolbox

      March 28, 2014 at 12:50 am

      Vicky - this is a great activity for Easter! TY, again, for sharing via FB! Pinned and shared!

    5. The Mueller's

      March 23, 2014 at 2:26 am

      This is absolutely ADORABLE! I can't wait to share them with my SS kiddos! Thank you!

    6. Jodie Clarke

      April 04, 2013 at 3:47 am

      I just love your donkey's!! You have to smile when you look at them! Just wanted to let you know that i am featuring them on my Kid's Co-Op post this week...thanks for sharing with us!

    7. Amanda Kristeen

      March 28, 2013 at 5:59 am

      This is adorable and so easy! Saw your link at HoH & love it!

    8. PinkOddy

      March 28, 2013 at 12:19 am

      What a sweet donkey. I do love the tail.

    9. Debra Quintana

      March 14, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      I LOVE this idea. Stealing it to use in Sunday School class. Keep those ideas coming.
      Are you on twitter? or facebook?

    10. Art Mama

      May 30, 2012 at 3:16 am

      I changed these up to make them toddler friendly and we are doing them at story time at the library tomorrow. Thanks for the seeds of inspiration!

    11. Veronique, the science geek

      March 29, 2012 at 1:00 am

      thanks, I think we'll do this for Palm Sunday with my 4-K class.

    12. maggy, red ted art

      November 02, 2011 at 7:22 pm

      Oh my! These are CUTE!!

      Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

      Maggy

    13. The Iowa Farmer's Wife

      November 02, 2011 at 5:00 am

      these are so dang cute!

    14. MiaB

      November 01, 2011 at 10:24 pm

      These are so cute!!

    15. Beth

      November 01, 2011 at 6:08 pm

      Vicky those are super cute! I would love for you to link this & other kid-friendly stuff at my TGIF Linky Party -

    16. Wendy

      November 01, 2011 at 6:44 pm

      My kids would love to make these! Super cute!

    17. Amber

      November 01, 2011 at 6:03 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting on the Tator Tot Casserole post. I hope you love it! Also, the donkeys are adorable! Love it!

    18. simona

      November 01, 2011 at 2:57 pm

      These donkeys are just the cutest! Thanks for the tutorial!

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    St. Patrick's Day Activities and Recipes

    • Irish Soda Bread Recipe
    • St. Patrick's Day Activities for Kids
    • Black Glue and Salt Watercolor Rainbow - Salt Painting for Preschool
    • 15 Shamrock Activities for Toddlers

    Spring Activities

    • How to Make a Mother's Day Card
    • DIY Seed Starter for Kids
    • Flower Craft Idea
    • How to Make a Paper Butterfly - Easy Craft for Kids

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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