Make a Paper Puppy Pull Out - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Make a Paper Puppy Pull Out!

Make a pull-tab paper puppy puppet using paper, scissors, tape, and straws; decorate it and test the pull-out movement safely and carefully.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a paper puppy pull-out puppet

What you need

Paper, scissors, tape, straw, colouring materials (markers crayons or coloured pencils), pencil, ruler, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all Materials Needed and ask an adult to help you before you start.

Step 2

Cut two rectangles from the paper about 10 cm by 15 cm each.

Step 3

Place one rectangle landscape and use the pencil and ruler to draw a horizontal guideline 7 cm long centered 2 cm from the bottom.

Step 4

Cut out the horizontal slot along the guideline to make a small opening.

Step 5

On the second rectangle draw a puppy head shape near the top and add a small rectangular tab about 1 cm tall at the base of the head.

Step 6

Cut out the puppy head shape carefully, leaving the tab attached.

Step 7

Insert the straw through the slot from the back so one end sticks out in front of the slot.

Step 8

Tape the puppy head tab to the straw about 1 cm from the straw end so the head will move when the straw slides.

Step 9

Place the front rectangle (with the slot and straw) on top of the second rectangle aligning the edges.

Step 10

Tape the left side right side and bottom edge of the two rectangles together to make a pocket while leaving the top open.

Step 11

Decorate your puppy with colouring materials and add eyes a nose spots or a collar.

Step 12

Gently pull the straw to make the puppy head pop out and see how the pull-out movement works.

Step 13

Push the straw back to hide the head and make any small tape fixes if the movement needs adjusting.

Step 14

Share a photo or video of your finished Paper Puppy Pull Out on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use instead of a drinking straw if we don't have one?

If you don't have a drinking straw you can use a wooden skewer, a coffee stirrer, or a tightly rolled strip of cardboard of similar thickness inserted through the slot.

Why won't the puppy head slide when I pull the straw?

If the puppy head doesn't move smoothly, make sure the 7 cm horizontal slot isn't too narrow, the 1 cm tab is taped about 1 cm from the straw end with only a small piece of tape, and the pocket edges aren't taped tight against the straw.

How can I change this activity for younger or older kids?

For younger kids have an adult cut the two 10×15 cm rectangles and the slot and pre-cut the puppy head, while older kids can design more detailed heads, use different straw thicknesses, or add extra moving parts.

How can we make the Paper Puppy Pull Out more creative or challenging?

To extend the project, decorate the puppy (eyes, nose, collar) as instructed, add a background scene, make a series of pull-outs, or combine two straws to make the head and tail move independently.

Watch videos on how to make a paper puppy pull-out puppet

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Facts about paper crafts for kids

🐶 Kids love dog puppets—making a paper puppy is a fun way to practice storytelling, emotions, and pretend play.

🧩 Pull-tabs are a paper-engineering trick: a sliding tab through a slot turns straight pulls into wagging tails or flopping ears.

🤖 Early automata (self-moving toys) go back over 2,000 years to ancient Greek and Chinese engineers who built moving figures.

🥤 A drinking straw makes a great smooth guide rod for pull-tabs—it's cheap, light, and helps prevent paper from tearing.

🎭 Puppetry is a global art—shadow puppets, marionettes, and hand puppets each inspire different kinds of movement and stories.

How do I make a paper puppy pull-out puppet?

To make a paper puppy pull out, draw and cut two identical puppy shapes from cardstock or sturdy paper. Cut a narrow rectangular slot in one backing piece. Slide a short straw through the slot and tape one end to a small paper tail or tongue attached to the inner layer. Layer the front puppy face over the base, align the straw so pulling it makes the tail slide out. Decorate, test gently, and secure edges with tape.

What materials do I need to make a paper puppy pull out?

You'll need paper or lightweight cardstock, scissors (child-safe), a drinking straw or short craft straw, clear tape or glue, pencils and eraser, markers, crayons, stickers or googly eyes, and a ruler. Optional: a craft knife for adults to cut precise slots, a paper punch, and extra cardboard for a sturdier base. Replace small embellishments for children under three to avoid choking hazards.

What ages is the paper puppy pull out activity suitable for?

This craft suits children aged about 4–10. Kids 4–6 will enjoy decorating and pulling with close adult help for cutting and slot-making. Ages 7–10 can handle cutting the shapes and constructing the pull-tab more independently. For toddlers under four, try pre-cut parts and let them stick decorations. Always supervise scissors and small pieces, and adapt complexity to each child's cutting and fine-motor skills.

What are the benefits of making a paper puppy pull out?

Making a paper puppy pull out builds fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and basic problem-solving as kids plan and assemble the sliding mechanism. Decorating encourages creativity and color recognition, while following steps teaches sequencing. It's a low-cost STEM-ish craft that introduces simple mechanics (sliding tab). Sharing the puppet encourages language development and imaginative play.

Ready to create?