Do your kids love penguins? Well, here’s a delightful penguin kids craft they can dive into this winter! We are thrilled to present a no-sew felt penguin craft – a perfect addition to your collection of winter crafts for kids.
This cute little penguin ornament can be made at home or school, without any fuss. Parents and educators, get ready to embark on a creative journey with this engaging arctic animal craft project.
Kids will get fine motor skills practice while exercising their creativity. And as a bonus, we’re providing a free printable craft template to kickstart your project.
Kids are naturally drawn to the adorable waddle and playful demeanor of penguins. Learning about them offers a wonderful opportunity to teach children about wildlife habitats, adaptation skills, and the importance of environmental conservation.
Our craft project is not just a fun activity but also a creative way to celebrate World Penguin Day, which is observed every year on April 25th. By engaging in this craft, children can commemorate these charming birds and deepen their understanding of them.
So why not mark your calendar for the next Penguin Day and make it a day full of joy, learning, and creativity with our no-sew felt penguin craft!
Benefits of This Penguin Kids Craft
This penguin craft offers numerous benefits to your little ones, beyond just providing a fun and engaging activity. The most notable advantage is the opportunity it provides for children to exercise their creativity.
Each child can decorate their penguin in their own unique way, fostering innovation, and imagination.
They can choose the colors, the patterns, and the accessories for their penguins, making each creation distinct and personal.
Not only does this allow them to put their individual stamp on the project, but it also encourages decision-making and problem-solving skills.
In addition to encouraging creativity, this craft also supports fine motor skill development. The detailed work of tracing, cutting, and assembling the pieces of the felt penguin requires precision and concentration.
This helps children hone their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and spatial skills. Ultimately, this adorable penguin craft presents a perfect blend of learning and fun, making it an ideal activity for children.
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Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set, 16 Piece (2-Ounce), Best Colors CountBassion Pack of 2 Kids Art Smocks, Children Waterproof Artist Painting Aprons Long Sleeve with 3 Pockets for Age 2-6 YearsAdTech Ultra Low-Temp Cool Tool | Mini Hot Glue Gun for Safe Crafting | Children and Kids | Item #05690 , WhiteAleene’s Turbo Tacky Glue, 4 FL OZ – 3 Pack, Multi
What Ages Can Make This Craft?
These projects are perfect for the whole family to enjoy during the holidays, as they don’t require any sewing. They’re also low-prep, making them easy to get started on.
Younger children may need some assistance with cutting out the felt pieces, especially the smaller ones. However, older kids can complete this project with minimal help.
It’s a great opportunity for them to practice tracing, cutting, and gluing the felt, as well as using a ruler to measure and cut the ribbon.
And don’t think these projects are just for kids – adults and teens will have a blast making them too!
More Felt Crafts for Kids
If you and your kids enjoy making our no-sew felt penguin craft, we’ve got more fun in store for you! Explore our collection of felt crafts, specially designed for kids. These projects are just as engaging, creative, and beneficial for developing fine motor skills.
- Felt Snowman Craft
- Felt Christmas Tree Craft
- Felt Easter Eggs Craft
- Felt Flower Bookmark Craft
- Felt Conversation Hearts Craft
Felt Penguin Craft Supplies
To get started on this project here are the items you’ll need:
- Penguin Craft Template – available for free by filling out the form at the bottom of the post
- Felt in White, Black, and Orange
- Additional Felt in Assorted Colors (for penguin accessories)
- Aleene’s Felt & Foam Tacky Glue – we recommend this because it adheres felt projects well.
- Disappearing Ink Fabric Pens (for tracing on white felt)
- Silver Permanent Marker or Chalk (for tracing on black felt)
- Ribbon (for hanging) cut into 6 inch strips
- Scissors
- Hole Punch (optional)
I recommend using an air soluble disappearing ink for tracing on the white felt and silver permanent marker or chalk for the black felt. Washable markers also work for tracing. Just be sure to have the trace lines turned to the back before gluing.
Shop some of my favorite craft supplies on Amazon!
How to Make a Felt Penguin Craft
To begin, print and cut out the Penguin Craft Template. These templates will serve as guides for tracing the shapes onto the felt.
Trace and cut one of each shape for every ornament you plan to make. Use white felt for the smaller shape and black (or any other color) felt for the larger shape.
Ensure the trace lines are turned to the back before applying glue.
Apply a thin layer of tacky glue to the back of the white felt and affix it to the front of the black felt, aligning the indents near the top that will form the penguin’s head.
Using the black felt, cut out (or hole punch) two small circles for the eyes. Alternatively, you can draw the eyes with a black marker or use small googly eyes.
Cut a small 3/4″ black felt square to serve as the backing for the ribbon.
From the orange felt, cut out a small triangle for the beak and two small semicircles for the feet.
Attach the eyes, beak, and feet using tacky craft glue.
Cut a 6″ length of ribbon and attach it, forming a loop, to the back of the black felt using glue.
Secure the small black felt square over the bottom where the ribbon is attached, using additional glue if necessary.
Lastly, decorate your penguins with extra felt to create various looks. You can add hats, scarves, shirts, or even wings to hold a heart.
Once finished, you can use a silver permanent marker to add names and dates to the back of your completed ornaments for a personalized keepsake.
Ways to Use This Penguin Kids Craft
This delightful penguin craft has a wide array of uses that extend beyond just a fun crafting activity.
For instance, these cute felt penguins can be turned into charming hanging ornaments to adorn your Christmas tree, adding a unique and personal touch to your festive decor.
These charming creatures can double as delightful winter decorations, adding a playful touch to your home during the season.
For an extra festive touch, consider stringing up several of them with a length of yarn, ribbon, or twine to create a cute holiday banner.
Another creative idea is to attach the completed penguins to jumbo craft sticks, transforming them into puppets.
Not only will this offer additional playtime fun for the kids, but it also provides a fantastic tool for imaginative storytelling, encouraging children to bring their penguin characters to life.
Fun Penguin Learning Activities
There are numerous interactive penguin-themed learning activities to captivate children’s interest.
One such activity is creating a penguin sensory bin. This hands-on project encourages children to explore different textures while learning about the natural habitat of penguins. It’s a simple yet effective way to combine play and sensory interaction.
For a literacy-focused activity, this printable penguin alphabet game is a hit among kids. These activities not only enhance children’s understanding of penguins but also foster their cognitive development.
Penguin Books for Kids
Adding a selection of penguin-themed books to your unit study is an excellent way to deepen children’s understanding of these fascinating arctic animals, while simultaneously promoting literacy skills.
Plus, it complements the crafting activities perfectly, offering a well-rounded, immersive learning experience. Here are three recommended books about penguins for kids:
Penguins!Penguin Problems (Animal Problems)Mr. Popper’s Penguins (Newbery Honor Book)
Penguins! by Gail Gibbons: This informative picture book introduces young readers to the captivating world of penguins. With engaging illustrations and simple yet accurate descriptions, children will learn about different types of penguins, their habitats, and behaviors.
Penguin Problems by Jory John: A hilarious and relatable tale of a grumpy penguin who learns to appreciate his life. This book is a wonderful blend of humor and life lessons, making it a favorite among children and adults alike.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater: An enchanting classic, this story revolves around Mr. Popper, who unexpectedly receives a penguin as a gift. The ensuing adventures make for an entertaining and heartwarming read.
Penguin Movies for Kids
Including penguin-themed movies in your penguin week can be a fun and educational addition. Watching movies not only entertains kids but can also provide them with a visual understanding of penguins, their habitats, and their behaviors.
For an educational option, Disneynature Penguins is a splendid choice. This documentary-style movie, narrated by Ed Helms, follows the journey of a penguin named Steve and sheds light on the life and habits of these fascinating creatures. Be sure to grab these Disneynature’s Penguins Printable Activities too!
March of the Penguins is an award-winning documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman that transports viewers into the harsh yet beautiful landscape of Antarctica. The film provides a deep insight into the life of Emperor Penguins.
Disneynature PenguinsMarch of the PenguinsHappy FeetPenguins of Madagascar
For a dose of humor and adventure, “Happy Feet“ is a delightful animated film about a dancing penguin named Mumble who goes on an exciting journey to find his place in the world.
Lastly, “Penguins of Madagascar“ offers a fun twist on the traditional penguin narrative, featuring four penguin spies on a thrilling undercover mission. These movies, combined with the books and crafting activities, will provide a comprehensive and engaging penguin-themed week for your kids.
More Penguin Crafts for Kids
To keep the penguin-themed fun going, we’ve gathered an array of delightful penguin crafts that children will love to create.
These projects are the perfect addition to any winter art center or can simply be an enjoyable afternoon activity at home.
Each craft encourages kids to unleash their creativity, enhance their fine motor skills, and most importantly, have fun!
We hope you feel inspired to make your own felt penguin craft. It is a fantastic no-sew project that doubles as an adorable ornament.
This engaging arctic animal craft not only hones kids’ fine motor skills but also allows them to get creative as they decorate and personalize their penguin creations. It’s a perfect activity that combines fun and skill development for children.
Felt Penguin Craft
Create a cute felt penguin ornament craft with your little ones this winter! Our free printable template makes it easy to work on fine motor skills and get creative. Perfect for a fun arctic animal craft project, no sewing required!
Materials
- Penguin Craft Template
- Felt in White, Black, and Orange
- Additional Felt in Assorted Colors (for penguin accessories)
- Aleene's Felt & Foam Tacky Glue
- Disappearing Ink Fabric Pens (for tracing on white felt)
- Silver Permanent Marker or Chalk (for tracing on black felt)
- Ribbon (for hanging) cut into 6 inch strips
Tools
- Scissors
- Hole Punch (optional)
Instructions
- First, print and cut out the Penguin Craft Template. These will be used to trace the shapes onto the felt.
- Trace and cut one of each shape for each ornament you are making. Use white felt for the smaller shape and black (or any other color) felt for the bigger shape.
- Have the trace lines turned to the back before gluing.
- Apply a thin layer of the tacky glue on the back of the white felt and attach it to the front of your black felt (aligning the indents near the top that will form the penguin’s head).
- Next, with your black felt, cut out (or hole punch) two small circles to be used as eyes. Instead of cutting or hole punching small felt eyes, you can draw them on with a black marker or use small googly eyes.
- Cut one small 3/4” black felt square to be used as the backing for the ribbon.
- With your orange felt, cut out one small triangle for the beak and two small semi-circles for the feet.
- Glue on the eyes, beak and feet.
- Cut 6” length of ribbon. Make a loop and attach it to the back of your penguin with glue.
- Attach your small black felt square over the bottom of where you attached the ribbon, using additional glue if needed.
- Lastly, decorate with small pieces of colored felt making scarves, hats, hearts, wings, etc.
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Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Wednesday 24th of January 2024
These are so cute! I am pinning this for a project with the grandkids. This post will be a feature this week. #HomeMattersParty
Darcy Zalewski
Friday 26th of January 2024
Thank you so much, Donna! I hope the grands love making their own felt penguins!
Amy Johnson
Friday 19th of January 2024
What a fun idea! Pinned!
Darcy Zalewski
Tuesday 23rd of January 2024
Thank you, Amy!