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    Home » Crafts

    Paper Bag Donkeys

    Modified: Jun 15, 2022 · Published: Feb 29, 2016 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

    3597 shares
    • 22

    With Easter approaching, my kids have been learning about the Easter story. At church, they did a fun donkey craft that inspired this activity. Learn how to make Paper Bag Donkeys at home by using free printables and worksheets and a paper bag.

    Kids can use these to reenact the Easter story or with pretend play. When they are done, they will enjoy making an Easter Cross Pop Up Card.

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

    For more free Easter printables, check out Religious Easter Notebooking Printables, which you can use with elementary and preschool students. You can also check out these 20 Bible Object Lessons for Kids to help teach kids in a fun way.

    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. This is one of those fun Spring activities for kids that you will love! If your little one enjoyed this, try our Animal Crafts for Toddlers.

    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

    Paper Bag Donkey Template

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        Recipe Rating




      1. Debra Quintana says

        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?

        Reply
      2. Art Mama says

        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!

        Reply
      3. Veronique, the science geek says

        March 29, 2012 at 1:00 am

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

        Reply
      4. maggy, red ted art says

        November 02, 2011 at 7:22 pm

        Oh my! These are CUTE!!

        Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

        Maggy

        Reply
      5. The Iowa Farmer's Wife says

        November 02, 2011 at 5:00 am

        these are so dang cute!

        Reply
      6. MiaB says

        November 01, 2011 at 10:24 pm

        These are so cute!!

        Reply
      7. Beth says

        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 -

        Reply
      8. Wendy says

        November 01, 2011 at 6:44 pm

        My kids would love to make these! Super cute!

        Reply
      9. Amber says

        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!

        Reply
      10. simona says

        November 01, 2011 at 2:57 pm

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

        Reply
      Newer Comments »
      Vicky from Mess for Less

      I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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