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Paper Pterodactyl Puppet

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Here is a fun and easy paper pterodactyl puppet craft for kids. The template to make this paper puppet is free!

I love puppet crafts because they provide kids with a fun activity along with a DIY toy to play with (keeping them occupied for a little bit longer, haha). 

This is perfect for dinosaur lovers, and is great when you need a low-mess, low-prep activity to keep your kiddos busy.

This printable craft was first published in 2015 and has been updated and reshared for todays audience

You might also like our paper plate dinosaurs

paper pterodactyl puppet - make paper puppet that flies on a string in the shape of a flying pterodactyl

Not long ago I made some toilet roll dinosaurs. There was a Triceratops and Diplodocus and I had planned to add to the collection with a Pterodactyl. Turns out it worked better and was easier to make from paper, which is not quite as trendy as crafting with paper rolls right now but just as much fun don’t you think?

My girls were very taken with these puppets, they named them Snowflake, Pineapple and Hearts (the green one is Hearts). Here is a quick tutorial on how you can make one at home, it won’t take long.


How to make a Paper Pterodactyl Puppet


 

You will need

  • String
  • A long craft stick or dowel rod (or any stick really)
  • A hole punch and scissors
  • Tape
  • The free printable template below printed out on heavy paper or light card stock – mine is 160gsm which is about the maximum weight that will go through my ink jet printer. Alternatively print it out on plain paper and trace the shape onto a heavier pice of card stock.

paper template to make the flying pterodactyl puppet

How to

To begin with score the fold line with a blunt knife (like a butter knife) and ruler. This might sound a bit weird and unnecessary but it gives you a really perfect, clean fold. You will find it’s really easy to fold after scoring the line and it helps for this project because the Pterodactyl balances on a single string so any unevenness might cause it to tilt off balance and not work properly.

score the fold line first

fold and cut the template

Once it’s folded cut along the black line with a pair of scissors, including the slit on the head and the extra mouth piece on the bottom of the page.

fold the wings back

Fold the wings down evenly. The mouth piece goes through the slit with half of it sticking out the top for the spike on the back of the Pterodactyl’s skull.

add the mouth

Use a hole punch to carefully make two holes over the dots marked, trying to keep them right on the fold line to keep your puppet balanced.

thread the string

Then tie the string through the two holes and onto the stick and you have your puppet!

If you find that your puppet won’t balance properly you might need to add a small piece of tape underneath on it’s belly to keep the string in place. I made about six of these and only one actually needed the tape.

paper pterodactyl puppets - make paper puppet that flies on a string in the shape of a flying pterodactyl

paper dinosaur craft idea

They were a hit at our place!

More ideas for dinosaur fans

paper dinosaur craft idea for kids – make a flying pterodactyl puppet on a string

Comments

    • 8

      Kate says

      It’s not that big. I don’t have the finished printable on hand to measure it right now but the length from the tip of it’s nose to the end of it’s body is (approx) just under 5 inches

      Reply
  6. 9

    Jaime says

    I cant get the template to download it wont even open up.. I’d really love to print this for my son’s upcoming birthday ..can it be emailed to me please?

    Reply
    • 23

      Kate says

      Hi Destany, you need to enter your details into the space provided and the template will be sent to you

      Reply
  15. 25

    molly says

    Hello, I was wondering if you had an SVG or other Cricut approved file for this pterodactyl template! thank you!

    Reply
  16. 27

    Robin Miller says

    I requested the free pterodactyl puppet template and have not received it. I got the dinosaur jokes yesterday and confirmed my email address. Can you help?

    Reply
  17. 29

    xiaojia says

    Hi there, can I have a copy of the free pterodactyl puppet template, please. Would love to use it children’s art and craft.

    Many thanks.

    Reply

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  • Kate GronoKate GronoCrazy Craft Fanatic

    I’m basically a big kid who never grew up and still loves to muck around with paint, glitter, glue and toilet rolls. With the crafts shared here on this website I’m hoping to give other parents and carers inspiration to get crafty with their kids at home – make our projects, or use them as a source of inspiration to spark ideas of your own. When it comes to crafting no rules apply!

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