I could not have asked for an activity to go better! He loved making this fun and easy paper bag monster craft and has played with it a bunch already. For craft like this that are going to be played with I try to make them before nap so that the drying time is less painful for the ever so patient two-year-old.
- Gather your materials. You will need a paper lunch bag, some paint, some scrap construction paper, 2 large googly eyes, glue, tape, scissors, and newspaper.
- Start by handing your child the paper bag, with the flap side down (that will be the back) and have them paint it.
- While they do that, cut out a fun mouth, some big eyes, and some silly hair. Older kids can do this themselves!
- Put the eyes on with glue
- Glue the googly eyes on top
- Glue the mouth and hair on!
- Set the bag aside, rip the newspaper into strips and hand them to your child to crumple.
- Stuff the crumpled paper in when the bag is dry enough!
- Fold and tape the bottom. I like to use tape because it’s flexible.
- Read to your Monster!
Books!
“Twelve Terrible Things” by Marty Kelley is horrifying to me, yet my son loves this book. He must have slipped it in our library bag because I have no recollection of choosing this book, and I didn’t pre-read it when we got home. By then it was too late, my son was hooked on the dark humor this book delivers. The book offers up 12 terrible things, like a scary clown, a goldfish on its way down the toilet and monsters under the bed. The illustrations are all from the reader’s viewpoint so the scary things are looking right at you! I am easily scared, I can’t watch horror film trailers without getting nightmares. While I screamed twice reading this, my son just wanted “more more!”. I really don’t recommend this book for young kids although some older ones who like scary things will love it.
“My Monster Mama Loves Me So” by Laura Leuck is more my kind of monster book for kids. Imaginative illustrations by Mark Buehner kept my little man pointing out spiders, bats, and owls and he loved counting the extra eyes and arms on the monsters. The story is really sweet too. It’s all the things a mama monster does throughout the day with her little monster. It’s a sweet message about how love can be an action as well as a feeling!
If you like this activity and book suggestions, make sure to stop over on Facebook and follow along!
For more quick tips on helping your child learn to read check out my book; Raising A Rock-Star Reader. It is packed with fun ideas for families, book lists, and advice for parents.
Christy says
Cute monster. We recently made puppets like this. I just put a paper towel roll inside the lunch bag and wrapped a rubber band around the top of the roll and the bag. Here is the link if you are interested: http://superheroesandprincesses.blogspot.com/2009/04/recycled-puppet-craft.html
We’ll have to make monsters because my kids would love that.
pucktricks says
We did monsters too, except my kids volunteered me to sew mine. I wish I had found your monster books. All the ones I found were Sesame Street, not quite as cute. Don’t forget the timeless: “There’s a Monster in my Closet”, and “Where the Wild Things Are.” Also great monster books.
Miller Moments says
This would be a great craft to do with the Ed Emberly book Go Away Big Green Monster!
Amanda says
Awesome! I have to pick up some lunch bags at my next shopping trip for puppets. Maddie has been a little obsessed with them lately and I think the stuffed monster may have to get added to the to-do list!
Denise says
I am so excited to use the craft and books with my girls. My two year old loves Go Away Big Green Monster and my four year old loves Harry and the Terrible Whatzit by Dick Gackenbach.
relia says
very cute!
thanks
KJ says
OH YAY! This activity is PERFECT for my son right now! The other day I read him a Mercer Mayer book, “Just Me and My Little Brother” (because he’ll have a bro. soon)…and in that book on a TV there is a green monster—now that’s all he wants to read, the “Monster book” lol.
Michelle says
I love "There's a Wocket in my Pocket" by Dr. Seuss. Monsters all over the house!!!
I don't know much about the new Sesame Street muppets & monsters but I love Grover in "There's a Monster at the End of this Book"
tc says
awww. what a lovely monster ! Will try making with my little ones. Thanx for the idea!
MaryAnne says
What a cute idea – I love the photo of your son reading to his monster!
kelly says
thanks SO very much for posting and heck even thinking this one up!!.. i linked you! happyday!!
.-= kelly´s last blog .. =-.