Bring your child’s favorite stories to life with these engaging craft projects! Each activity is designed to reinforce story elements while developing fine motor skills and creativity.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Egg Carton Caterpillar |
Egg carton, green paint, pipe cleaners, googly eyes |
3+ |
Cut egg carton into strips, paint green, poke holes for pipe cleaners, attach eyes |
Counting, colors, life cycle |
Paper Plate Caterpillar |
Paper plate, green paint, construction paper, brad fasteners |
3+ |
Cut circles from paper plate, paint, connect with brads for movement |
Sequencing, fine motor skills |
Fruit Printing |
Apples, pears, oranges, paint, paper |
2+ |
Cut fruit in half, dip in paint, stamp on paper |
Healthy eating, patterns |
Butterfly Coffee Filters |
Coffee filters, markers, spray bottle, clothespins |
4+ |
Color filters, spray with water, clip with clothespin |
Symmetry, color mixing |
“Where the Wild Things Are” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Paper Bag Monsters |
Paper bags, construction paper, markers, glue |
4+ |
Decorate bags with monster features, use as puppets |
Imagination, storytelling |
Monster Masks |
Paper plates, feathers, horns, elastic, paint |
5+ |
Cut eye holes, paint, attach decorative elements |
Creative expression |
Wild Thing Crowns |
Cardboard, yellow paper, markers, stapler |
3+ |
Cut crown shape, decorate with zigzag patterns |
Royal play, fine motor |
Sailboat Craft |
Walnut shells, toothpicks, paper, clay |
6+ |
Place clay in shell, insert toothpick sail |
Story sequencing |
“Corduroy” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Paper Plate Bears |
Paper plates, brown paint, construction paper, brads |
3+ |
Create moveable bear with jointed arms and legs |
Body parts, friendship |
Button Sorting |
Buttons of various sizes and colors, egg cartons |
2+ |
Sort buttons by color, size, or number of holes |
Classification, counting |
Corduroy’s Overalls |
Blue paper, buttons, yarn, hole punch |
4+ |
Create wearable overalls for stuffed animals |
Dressing skills, empathy |
Department Store Diorama |
Shoe box, fabric scraps, miniature furniture |
7+ |
Recreate Corduroy’s store adventure |
Spatial awareness, retelling |
“The Rainbow Fish” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Shimmery Fish |
Paper plates, aluminum foil, sequins, glue |
3+ |
Cover plate with foil, add colorful sequins |
Sharing, friendship |
Coffee Filter Fish |
Coffee filters, markers, spray bottle, string |
4+ |
Color filters, spray to blend, cut into fish shapes |
Color theory, kindness |
Underwater Scene |
Blue paper, tissue paper, cotton balls |
5+ |
Layer materials to create ocean depth |
Marine life, generosity |
Scales Matching Game |
Cardboard fish, metallic stickers, number cards |
6+ |
Match numbered scales to fish bodies |
Number recognition, sharing |
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Coconut Tree |
Paper towel tube, brown paint, green tissue paper |
3+ |
Paint tube brown, attach tissue paper leaves |
Alphabet recognition |
Letter Magnets |
Foam letters, magnets, magnetic board |
4+ |
Stick magnets to letters, arrange on tree |
Letter identification |
Alphabet Crowns |
Sentence strips, letter stickers, stapler |
5+ |
Create personalized alphabet crowns |
Letter sounds, names |
Chicka Boom Books |
Construction paper, crayons, stapler |
6+ |
Create individual alphabet books |
Letter formation, writing |
“The Giving Tree” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Handprint Tree |
Brown paint, green paper, scissors |
3+ |
Make handprint trunk, add paper leaves |
Gratitude, giving |
Apple Tree Mobile |
Embroidery hoop, green felt, red pom-poms |
5+ |
Attach felt leaves and apple pom-poms to hoop |
Seasons, generosity |
Gratitude Leaves |
Leaf templates, markers, hole punch, ribbon |
4+ |
Write things you’re grateful for on leaves |
Thankfulness, writing |
Tree Ring Counting |
Paper plates, brown marker, magnifying glass |
6+ |
Draw tree rings, count and discuss tree age |
Nature science, math |
“Brown Bear, Brown Bear” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Animal Color Wheels |
Paper plates, brads, crayons, animal cutouts |
4+ |
Create spinning wheels showing animals and colors |
Color recognition, animals |
Binocular Craft |
Toilet paper rolls, string, decorative paper |
3+ |
Cover rolls, attach string, decorate |
Observation skills |
Animal Masks |
Paper plates, elastic, paint, construction paper |
5+ |
Create masks for each story animal |
Dramatic play, colors |
I Spy Books |
Magazine pictures, glue, construction paper |
6+ |
Create personalized color and animal books |
Reading comprehension |
“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Sequence Chain |
Construction paper, scissors, glue, markers |
5+ |
Create paper chain showing story sequence |
Cause and effect |
Cookie Decorating |
Sugar cookies, frosting, sprinkles |
4+ |
Decorate real cookies while discussing story |
Following directions |
Mouse Puppet |
Gray felt, googly eyes, pink felt, glue |
6+ |
Sew or glue simple finger puppet |
Fine motor skills |
Story Map |
Large paper, markers, stickers |
7+ |
Map out the mouse’s journey through the house |
Sequencing, mapping |
“The Snowy Day” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Cotton Ball Snow |
Blue paper, cotton balls, glue, white paint |
3+ |
Create snowy scenes with cotton and paint |
Weather, seasons |
Snowflake Art |
Coffee filters, scissors, watercolors |
5+ |
Fold and cut snowflakes, paint with watercolors |
Symmetry, winter science |
Footprint Snow Angels |
White paint, blue paper, sponges |
4+ |
Make footprints and sponge-paint snow angels |
Movement, creativity |
Peter’s Snow Suit |
Paper doll, fabric scraps, velcro |
6+ |
Dress paper doll in winter clothes |
Seasonal clothing, independence |
“Madeline” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Madeline Paper Dolls |
Cardstock, markers, scissors, brad fasteners |
5+ |
Create moveable Madeline figures |
French culture, friendship |
Eiffel Tower Model |
Popsicle sticks, glue, paint |
7+ |
Build simple tower structure |
Architecture, geography |
French Flag |
Red, white, blue paper, glue, popsicle stick |
4+ |
Create flag while learning about France |
Cultural awareness |
Madeline’s Hat |
Yellow paper, elastic, decorations |
3+ |
Make wearable yellow hats |
Dramatic play, colors |
“Caps for Sale” Crafts
Craft Idea |
Materials Needed |
Age Range |
Instructions |
Learning Focus |
Stacking Hats |
Paper plates, paint, scissors |
4+ |
Create stackable hats in story colors |
Sequencing, balancing |
Monkey Puppets |
Brown paper bags, markers, construction paper |
5+ |
Make monkey bag puppets for retelling |
Story comprehension |
Hat Shop Dramatic Play |
Various hats, play money, cash register |
6+ |
Set up pretend hat shop |
Math skills, commerce |
Color Sorting Game |
Colored hats, sorting mats |
3+ |
Sort hats by color like in the story |
Classification, colors |
Tips for Success
Category |
Recommendation |
Preparation |
Read the book together before crafting |
Safety |
Always supervise young children with scissors and small parts |
Adaptation |
Modify difficulty based on child’s abilities |
Extension |
Encourage retelling the story using finished crafts |
Storage |
Create a special box for story craft collections |
Additional Resources
Resource Type |
Examples |
Online Templates |
Free printable patterns for story characters |
Library Programs |
Story time craft sessions |
Educational Apps |
Interactive story and craft combinations |
Seasonal Adaptations |
Holiday versions of favorite story crafts |
Group Activities |
Classroom or party craft modifications |