Children's Book Crafts
12 Crafts Inspired by Your Favorite Children's Books
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Kids can't get enough of a good thing — whether it's a movie, a song on the radio, or a favorite book at story time. If their obsession du jour falls in the latter category, why not extend the fun with a hands-on activity that's inspired by one of their most beloved books? These 12 crafts are DIY spinoffs on popular kids books — both classics and new additions to the bookshelf. Grab your glue stick, roll up those sleeves, and get ready for some crafting with a literary vibe!
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?: Clothespins
These cute clothespins inspired by Mo Willems's The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? are fun for toddlers and preschoolers alike. Blogger Laura of LalyMom says that her almost-two-year-old has fun just clipping the clothespins, while her four-year-old reenacts the story with them. Head over to LalyMom for the free printables!
The How Do Dinosaurs . . . ? Series: Fossil Cookies
These fossil cookies are beyond easy and of course, edible! Fans of Jane Yolen's How Do Dinosaurs . . . ? series will appreciate the prehistoric playtime.
Harold and the Purple Crayon: Yarn Art
You'll have as much fun as your kids creating purple yarn art inspired by Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon. Using liquid glue and wax paper, the imaginative shapes that you make with yarn will come to life as stringy sculptures.
Press Here: Magnetic Dot Sensory Bag
This toddler-friendly magnetic dot sensory bag is inspired by Hervé Tullet's Press Here, an interactive and imaginative book that engages its little readers. The aesthetic of the finished project mirrors the book's elegant and playful illustrations perfectly.
Stick Man: Cardboard Tube Man
If your kids run around chanting, "I'm Stick Man, I'm Stick Man, I'm Stick Man, that's me!!" like Laura of LalyMom's do, then this cardboard tube craft will be right up that alley. The results are uncannily close to the book's illustrations.
Gus & Me: Cardboard Box Guitar
It may not be a classic quite yet, but for little rockers, Keith Richards's Gus & Me is the epitome of cool. Make your own cardboard guitar just like the one in the story. Bonus points if they take a cue from the book, turning this project into a grandpa-grandchild one!
Source: ikat bag
A House for Hermit Crab: Under-the-Sea Sensory Play
In Eric Carle's A House for Hermit Crab, the protagonist combs the ocean asking other sea creatures for help in adorning his dull shell. Incorporate as many underwater specimens as you can in this under-the-sea sensory tub, which is made completely out of Jell-O!
Source: Natural Beach Living
Dragons Love Tacos: Dragon Puppet
My Little 3 and Me's magical dragon puppet is a fun spinoff of the very funny Dragons Love Tacos. Once the puppets are made and ready to play with, they can gobble up an endless supply of tacos (with plenty of salsa, of course).
Source: My Little 3 and Me
Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand: DIY Cardboard Lemonade Stand
You only need one side of a cardboard box, along with some markers and tape, to create your very own lemonade stand sign like this one from See Jane Blog. Creating the stand is just the beginning of the ongoing fun (and education) that comes along with this early entrepreneurial venture, inspired by Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand.
Source: See Jane Blog
The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Caterpillar Leaf
This papier-mâché leaf and caterpillar creation is a crafty extension of Eric Carle's timeless tome, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Source: Mrs. T's First Grade Class
We're Going on a Bear Hunt: Paper Bag Bear Puppets
Put those extra brown lunch bags to good use with this easy craft inspired by We're Going on a Bear Hunt from Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails. The fun continues when your tots put on their own puppet show with the finished products!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Coconut Tree
Anyone who has ever asked "Will there be enough room?" in the coconut tree will appreciate this upcycyled coconut tree from Bill Martin Jr.'s beloved Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
