Roars of delight are guaranteed with bear crafts for kids. Bear-themed crafts work well as rainy day activities at home or as part of a themed unit at school. Preschoolers and elementary students will enjoy working on bear crafts. Make adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of your kids and to match the materials you have on hand.
Bear Stamps
Bear stamps let the kids design a bear-themed picture. Use plain kitchen sponges to make your own set of bear stamps. Draw a simple bear head shape on the sponge with a permanent marker as a guideline. Cut on the line to finish the stamps. Another idea for the stamp shape is to make a bear footprint. The kids dip the sponge stamps in tempera paint and press them onto construction paper to make the bear pictures.
Bear Mask
Masks are simple and entertaining for young kids. A paper plate works well as the mask form. Let the kids paint the plates to match the type of bear they want their mask to represent. Add a mouth, nose and other facial features. Cut out small circles to glue to the top for the ears. An adult should handle cutting out the eye holes on the masks. The masks work well for dramatic play. Create a cave by putting a brown blanket over a table so the kids can wear their masks and play in the cave.
Puppets
Puppets are another classic option for kids' crafts. Paper bag bear puppets are one choice, or you can cut out a simple bear shape and glue it to a paint stirring stick or craft stick for the handle. Let the kids decorate their puppet using paint, markers, crayons, fake fur or short lengths of yarn to create a furry appearance. Add wiggly eyes and other facial features to complete the bear puppets. The kids can put on a puppet show from behind a couch or desk using their homemade bear puppets.
Texture Bear
The texture bear craft is a sensory experience for the young kids. Each child needs a bear shape on cardstock or cardboard to create a sturdy base. Help them spread a thin layer of glue over the bear shape. The kids then sprinkle on a textured material to cover the bear. Cinnamon, sawdust, coffee grounds or sand all work well as the textured material. Cinnamon and coffee grounds add scent, which creates more of a sensory experience for the kids. Shake off the excess material and add the other details on the bear to complete this kids' craft.
Tags: bear puppets, bear shape, work well, bear crafts, coffee grounds, facial features, make bear