KIDS ARTS & CRAFTS IDEAS & PROJECTS: ANIMALS, BUGS, REPTILES, AND CRITTERS ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS IDEAS FOR KIDS

Here are many animal arts and crafts projects for kids to make cool animals such as reptiles, bugs, mammals, and other creatures.

Recent Arts and Crafts Projects for Kids

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Below you will find many animal arts and crafts projects for kids to make cool animals such as reptiles, bugs, mammals, and other creatures.

Birds Crafts

Bugs and Insects

Dinosaurs

Farm Animals Crafts

Jungle / Safari / Rainforest Animals

Reptiles and Amphibians

ANIMALS ... BIRDS ... CRITTERS LISTED BELOW IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Alligators / Crocodiles

Ants

Armadillos

Bats & Vampires

Beavers

Bumblebees

Bunnies (Easter Bunnies & Rabbits)

Butterflies

Camels

Caterpillars

Cats (Black Scary Cats for Halloween)

Chameleons

Cheetahs

Chickens / Hens / Roosters

Baby Chickens (Easter Chicks)

Chimps, Gorillas, Apes

Chipmunks

Cows / Bulls

Crabs and Lobsters

Doves and Pigeons

Ducks

Baby Ducks (Easter Chicks)

Dolphins

Elephants

Fish and Underwater Creatures

Flies

Foxes

Flamingoes

Giraffes

Goats

Grasshoppers and Crickets

Hamsters and Guinea Pigs

Hippos

Horses

Iguanas

Jellyfish

Kangaroos

Koala Bears

Ladybugs

Leopards

Lemurs

Lions

Lizards and Salamanders

Llamas

Manatees

Mice / Rats

Monkeys

Moose

Mosquitoes

Octopus

Otters

Panthers

Penguins

Pigs

Polar Bears

Ponies

Raccoons

Rhinos

Scorpions

Seals

Sharks

Sheep / Lambs

Skunks

Snails

Snakes

Spiders

Squids

Squirrels

Starfish

Tigers

Toucans

Turtles / Tortoises

Turkeys

Vultures

Whales

Wolves

Worms

Zebras

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - A

Alligator Clip-On - Instructions to make an alligator out of a clothespin.

Alligator Craft - To give you a feel for the size, the alligator in the picture is about 2 feet long (and it's mouth opens and shuts!!)

Animal Crafts for Kids - armadillo, cats, camel, cow, dogs, elephant, giraffe, horse, kangaroo, lion, monkey, moose, panda bear, pig, sheep, snake, squirrel, turtles and yak crafts.

Animals Paper Models to Download - There are many animals to download here, such as donkeys, horses, Llama, Goats, Circus Truck, Circus Trailer, Circus Tent nd more.

Animals / Critters Paper Models to Download - These models are SOOO cute...there is a mouse, a cown, a monkey with a banana, a bird, and a dog...fold and play with.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - B

Baby Food Jar Animals - What does your pet look like? How about the pet you wish you had? Make one out of a baby food jar. They're cute and easy!

Ballerina Marionette - Make a Ballerina Marionette. When you pull the string, the arms and legs move!

Bat Finger Puppet - Very cute and well illustrated instructions to make a bat finger puppet.

Bat Treat Cup - Find out how to use a tin can to make a treat cup that looks like a bat.

Bendable Magnetic Animals and People - These bendable, fuzzy magnetic animals and people are simple to make and great to play with later

Big Dangling Spider - Make a dangling spider with 2 Paper Plates; black and white construction paper; black marker

Big Paper Mache Bird - This rather large paper mache bird makes a great friend or a rather nifty pinata.

Butterfly Valentine - Make a Valentine's Day card that looks like a butterfly.

Bird Crafts - Make your own bird feeder, duck, owl, raven, black bird, flamingo, whooping crane, or hen with chicks from cheap and easy to find materials.

Bird Feeder - Make your own birdfeeder. (scroll down)

Black Cat Hat for Halloween - This scary black cat hat (or decoration) is easily made from construction paper.

Bleach Bottle Cat - Make your own bleach bottle cat with Plastic bleach bottle; Plastic fabric softener bottle; Plaster of Paris or small pebbles; scissors; spray paint; acrylic paints

Blue Boy - Basic rod and mouth puppet instructions.

Bookworm Bookcover - Make your own Bookworm bookcover.

Bug or Insect Crafts for Kids - Crafts and Activities relating to bugs and insects.

Buggy Chip Clips - Keep your chips fresh and keep the bugs outside the bag! Make chip clips.

Bug Pencil Toppers - Bug craft to make a bug on top of your pencil (scroll down the page)

Bunny Bank - Make your own bunny bank with Large round plastic container with lid; glue; Styrofoam ball (for head); felt scraps; small pompoms; toothpicks.

Bunny Hand Puppet - Hand Puppet Bunny to play with

Busy Bee Puppet - Instructions to make a puppet that looks like a bee sitting on a flower.

Butterfly Bookmark or Magnet - Make a cute butterfly bookmark or magnet

Butterfly Necklace - Make a Butterfly-shaped necklace using a clothespin.

Button Beings - The hardest part of this craft is deciding which critters to create.

Butterfly Wand - This is a great craft to do at a children's party. Before the party, glue all the pipe cleaners to popsicle sticks.

Butterfly - make your own Folded paper butterfly

Butterfly, Caterpillar, and Inchworm crafts -Make cutesy butterflies, catterpillars, and inchworms. (scroll down)

Butterfly Life Cycle MobileMake - A mobile that shows the complete metamorphosis of a butterfly from egg to larva (caterpillar) to pupa to adult (the butterfly).

Butterfly Note Holder - A cute butterfly note holder made from a clothespin

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - C

 

Chicken Puppet - Make a chicken puppet with a popsicle stick.

Cat out of a fim container - Difficult for little ones to make, but you could use these as a favor for a halloween party!

Caterpillar Puppets - Bear shares instructions for making a fun caterpillar using a sock!

CD Beaver - Instructions to make a beaver out of old Cds.

Chick in an Egg Craft - Find out how to make this fun chick in an egg shell

Clothespin Animals - Printout these and stick them on clothespins

Clothespin Butterfly - Make a clothespin butterfly from ribbon, paint, and a clothespin

Clothespin Filter Butterfly Clips - This little butterfly would love to hang out in your room! Clip the butterfly to your ceiling fan pull string, or your curtains.

Coat Hanger Puppet Friends - Do you have wire hangers that you just don't what to do with? Here is a cute idea to turn those hangers into a great craft idea to do with the kids. It is fun and easy.

Coffee Filter Butterflies - Instructions for making a butterfly out of coffee filters

Cork Horse - 2 corks (one large and a smaller one); Toothpicks; black, brown or yellow scrap yarn; black or brown felt (you can substitute this with piece of paper colored brown or black; 2 black beads or googly eyes; glue.

Cotton Ball Chick - Use these cute chicks to decorate an Easter Basket or table decoration.

Cotton Ball Rabbit - Make a cotton ball rabbit with your child

Cotton Ball Sheep Crafts for Kids - Make an easy sheep project with cotton balls, felt, cardboards (scroll down)

Cottony Lambs - Make cottony lambs from cotton balls.

Crawling Spider Puppet - Instructions to make a cool spider puppet using an old glove.

Crazy Crawlers - It doesn't cost much to craft the creatures, and we swear your kids won't stop after making one.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - D

DragonFly Craft Stick - Make yourself a dragonfly using a popsicle stick!

Dinosaur Crafts for Kids- Crafts, games and activities, and links to other dinosaur sites.

Doggie Pots - Make a doggie pot out that is adorable.

Doodle Bug - This bizarre bug stands on two legs

DragonFly Bug Craft - Make a dragonfly (scroll down)

DragonFly Clothespin - Make a cute dragonfly from a clothespin

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - E

Easter Bunny Pinata - Instructions for making an Easter Bunny pinata using paper mache' techniques.

Easy Felt Snake - Another easy snake decoration for your pencil, straw, or any place.

Easy Lamb Craft - This cute little lamb is a great  March (in like a lion out like a lamb), farm animal or Bible craft project.

Easy Paper Plate Lion Craft - This king of the jungle is made with a paper plate. 

Elephant Puppet - Make this Elephant Puppet out of a paper plate and popsicle stick.

Egg Carton Bugs - Instructions to make a variety of insects and other bugs using egg cartons.

Egg Carton Catterpillar - 1 egg carton; paint (bright colors); pipe cleaner; glue; googly eyes or white felt scraps and black marker; scissors.

Egg Carton Ladybug - This is an easy way to make ladybugs using egg cartons, crayons or markers, scissors, and pipe cleaners. Googly eyes are a nice touch.

Egg Cup Bird - Instructions to make birds using egg carton cups.

Elephant Puppet - Make this Elephant Puppet out of a paper plate

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - F

Fake Snake - If your child is voracious for vipers, try making this recycled bottle caps reptile

Family Mitten Puppet - Adorable - 5 finger puppets on each finger.

Feather Bird Craft - This  is a very easy project, great for preschool children. (scroll down)

Felt Snakes - Curl these snakes around your drinking glass, a place card, or anywhere you want!

Film Container Puppet - Instructions for making a finger puppets using an empty film container, shared by ARCHHOST.

Fingerprint Bumblebee - The picture to the right is a photograph of the finished craft.  The diagram instructions are drawn. 

Firefly Lights - Hang a set of glass lanterns in your garden. They're perfect for lighting the path at night.

Flat Cat Crafts for Kids (Lion) - You can use this cute little cat to play a word game that teaches your children words that rhyme with “cat”.  Children will love making their own flat cats to take home and help them learn to read.

Fly Mask - Instructions to make a fly mask using egg carton cups.

Foam Craft LUVerflies - A simple and fun “butterfly heartlings” creation made from heart-shaped foamie craft pieces. Stick a magnet on the back of them, or use them to embellish your gifts!

Foot and Hand Reindeer - Trace the foot and hand to make a reindeer ... a classic kids art project.

Footprint Bumblebee - Materials you will need for the footprint bee are waxed paper, glue, scissors, something to colour with and a piece of paper

Friendly Fireflies - These luminous glowworms will love lighting up the evening sky!

Frog Bank - Make a frog back that will help you save your money. Just lift up his tounge and he will swallow it right down.

Frog Crafts for Kids - Beanbags, puppets, etc.

Furry Fellows - Make Furry Fellows with 9" x 3 1/2" fake fur strip, color of your choice; 4 1/2" x 5" felt for feet; Puff ball for nose; Large novelty eyes; Hat of your choice; Baby food jar; White craft glue.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - G

Garden Glove Puppets - Make a puppet using a glove - submitted by Rachel Webb.

Giraffe Refridgerator Magnet - Make your own giraffe refridgerator magnet with a tongue depressor.

Giraffe Pencil Holder for Dad - Make a Giraffe Pencil Holder for Dad to hold his pencils in.

Golf Yarn Bug - With his visor and mini golf club, this bug is sure get a hole-in-one.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - H

Handprint Butterfly Craft - This is a simple craft made from a child's handprint cutouts.

Handprint Lamb - Make a cute handprint lamb

Hop On In Frog Doorhanger- Make a cute doorhanger from popsicle sticks.

How to Make Shadow Puppets - Shadow puppets are among the oldest puppets in the world. You'll need a special stage to show your puppets and a light source, which you can find out about a little farther down.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - I

Insects and Bugs - Make insects and bugs out of paper towel and toilet power rolls.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - J

Jack and Jill Paper Bag Black Bird Puppets - These puppets can also be used as raven puppets for the story of the ravens feeding Elijah.They would make a great craft to go along with the lesson. (scroll down)

Jumping Spider Puppet - Make a jumping spider puppet with straws.

Just Ducky - Here's a project that's everything it's quacked up to be. Cute and fuzzy, this chick might be a duckling or, with another color scheme, a baby penguin or goose or swan.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - K

Kookaburra in a Tree Craft - Instructions to make a puppet that looks like a kookaburra bird sitting in a tree.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - M

Make a Ladybug Costume - You can make a cute ladybug costume from a large paper grocery bag. You can also make antennae by wrapping two pipe cleaners onto a plastic headband.

Mouse in a Cup - Instructions for making a pretend mouse in a tiny cup.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - L

LadyBug Paper Plates - Make a ladybug out of a paper plate

Lady Bug Locket - Make a beautiful lady bug locket out of a bottle cap.

Leopard Mask - This terrific mask is great for playtime, to help imaginations roam far and wide. Easy to make, fun to make together, it's a wonderful afternoon's project for one child or for a group of children. Get different colored foam and beads so each child can make their mask unique

Lion Face with Noodle Main Craft for Kids - Make a lion with noodle hair out of stock, crayons, dry uncooked long curly noodles, red food dye and rubbing alcohol

Lion Visor for Kids - Make a lion visor hat out of Markers or crayons, glue, orange fun foam, card stock, stapler, staples, scissors. (scroll down)

Paper Mache Llama - An awesome educational project that teaches stick-to-it-iveness. To be more authentic try using real llama or alpaca fleece available from local breeders. Craft quality fleece is inexpensive and gorgeous. You can spin the fleece easily with a drop spindle and make your own tassles, With it, your creation would truly imitate those created in South America!

Paper Mache Frog Craft - The Frog's mouth opens and you can put things inside!

Paper Mache Tiger Bookends - Make two identical tigers or two different animals for these cute bookends.  Makes a great gift from the kids.

Paper Cow Model for Printing - Build a 3D model cow with our printed template.

Paper Pig Model for Printing - Build a 3D model pig with our printed template.

Paper Horse Model for Printing - Build a 3D model horse with our printed template.

Paper sheep Model for Printing - Build a 3D model sheep with our template.

Lollipop Friends - Make Lollipop critter friends with Small styrofoam balls (2-3" round); Small googly eyes (available at craft stores) or you can use beans, beads or just paint eyes and nose on.; Small scraps of felt (brown, black, red, blue); Small scraps of colorful yarn; lollipop sticks; glue.

Love Bugs - This project is easy and can be used by 2 years and up. We give these to parents, teachers and grandparents -- they love them.

Lucky Cricket Craft - Instructions to make a lucky cricket craft.

Lucky Duck Paper Plate Craft - Make yoour own lucky duck plate project.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - M

Monkey Paper Plate Face or Mask - Materials you will need for the monkey are a printer, glue, scissors, something to colour with and a piece of paper (I prefer construction paper).

Moose made from Four Bags Craft- This moose can be used as a craft or a prop to use with a moose thematic unit.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - N

Nektie Snakes - Make your own nektie snakes with Neckties (old); Fiber Fill; Needle & Thread; Buttons; Felt (red).

Nylon Snake - Here's a way to use up those colourful plastic cups & plates used at birthday parties and school events.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - P

Paper Bag Frog Puppet - Make a frog puppet out of a paper bag.

Paper Chain Butterfly Project - Easy project for your child to make a butterfly. (scroll down)

Paper Chain Caterpillar Toy or Puppet - A simple-to-make caterpillar toy or puppet.

Paper Dove Craft - You won't mind this critter invading your next picnic: a high-flying dove made from paper plates and plastic spoons.

Paper Cow Model for Printing - Build a 3D model cow with our printed template.

Paper Pig Model for Printing - Build a 3D model pig with our printed template.

Paper Horse Model for Printing - Build a 3D model horse with our printed template.

Paper sheep Model for Printing - Build a 3D model sheep with our template.

Paper Cat 3D Paper Model Crafts - Consider this paper model a "Cat Sculpture" . We started trying to replicate Megabyte in paper, but had problems capturing his fur patterns

Paper Lamb - Here is a simple lamb template that you can choose to colour or paste cotton balls

Paper Mache Rabbit - Make a paper mache rabbit

Paper Raven Craft - This raven can be made with construction paper, fun foam or poster board. You can put any saying you would like in his mouth.

Paper Plate BumbleBee Craft - Materials you will need for the paper plate bee are a paper plate, waxed paper, scissors, tape, small triangle of black paper (or white paper coloring black), yellow paint and black paint or marker

Paper Plate Crab - If you don't have a paper plate, trace a regular plate on a piece of cardboard (old cereal box) or use a margarine container lid.

Paper Plate Frog Puppet - He may not be a prince, but this paper puppet is certainly charming.

Paper Plate Ladybug Puppet Craft - A simple-to-make paper plate ladybug puppet. Each ladybug is made from two paper plates, paint, and construction paper.

Paper Plate Pig - Adorable pig craft

Paper Frog Puppet - A simple-to-make frog puppet made from a piece of paper. This puppet's mouth moves!

Papier-Mâché Spider Craft - This scary papier-mâché Halloween spider is a lot of fun to make, but messy.

Lady bug Paper Mache - Make a Lady Bug Paper Mache Project

Peek-a-Book Groundhog - Instructions for making a Peek-A-Boo Groundhog puppet.

Penguin Pals - Create a family of Christmas Penguins to greet  guests at the door!

Piggy Bank Kids Crafts Project - Start Saving Your money and make a piggy bank. (scroll down)

Pipecleaner spiders - Make creepy spiders with pipecleaners

Pompom Bee Craft - These are very easy to make, but they do take some time. (scroll down)

Pop Can Critters - Make a cute critter, clown, person, etc with a crushed pop / soda can.

Praying Mantis Bug Craft - Make a homemade praying mantis. (Scroll Down)

Puppet Stand - Instructions to make a home made puppet holder from cardboard rolls and shoe boxes.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - S

Sea Turtle Marionette - Make a turtle marionette

Simple Paper Bag Puppets - Instructions for making simple puppets using pape lunch bags

Skating Critters - Make a skating critters with 1 large pompom, 2 small pompoms, three 3-in. long pipe cleaners, hot glue gun, two small round magnets, paper plate, googly eyes, markers

Spider Pinata -This super spider pinata would make a great item for a Spiderman themed birthday or for a Halloween party. 

Smiley Guy Beanbag Critter - Make your own smiley beanbag guy with Fabric Scraps; Needle & Thread; Dried Beans; Black Beads; Red Thread.

Snake Bracelet Project for Kids - Make a snake bracelet out of Card stock, crayons or markers, and tape. (scroll down)

Spooky Spider - Make this spooky spider

Spooky Spider Gloves - These are adorable and spooky at the same time.

Styrofoam Ant Craft - Make an Ant out of styrofoam.

Styrofoam and Drinking Straw Puppet Craft - These simple puppets are made from styrofoam trays and drinking straws. You can make animals, fruit, teeth, characters from stories, shapes, vehicles, and just about anything else.

Stuffed Lion Crafts for Kids - Make a stuffed lion from Crayons or markers, Small plastic food baggies (don’t have to be zip-lock), yellow pom poms (large ones are better) OR you can substitute tissue paper (scrunched up balls), yellow and orange construction paper, stapler, staples, glue sticks, scissors. (scroll down).

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - T

Tie Snake Craft for Kids- These snakes are easy and inexpensive to make.  And best of all they are fun to play with.

Turkey Pinata - Celebrate Turkey Day with this fun fowl piñata

Turkey Spoon - Gobble, gobble, this turkey is sure to spoon up lots of fun.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - V

Vampire Bat - Suspended in a tree or from a porch ceiling, this bat's wings rustle with all the convincing creepiness of the real thing.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - W

Walking Stick Bug Craft - Make a bug out of a stick (scroll down)

Waxed Paper Stained Glass Butterfly - A simple-to-make butterfly window hanging.

Wild Turkey - Take a walk in the woods and find nature items to make this Thanksgiving pal.

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - Y

Yarn Lion Crafts for Kids - Make a paper lion with yarn hair - adorable. (scroll down).

KID'S ANIMALS, BUGS, AND REPTILES ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS - Z

Zoo Animals from CDs - Instructions to make zoo animals out of old Cds.

ZZZ Groundhog Craft - Make this fun groundhog craft using an egg carton and pom-poms.

Free Arts & Crafts Activities & Ideas & Coloring Pages and Printables Directory for Kids, Teens, & Preschoolers

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