Looking for a fun way to bring a classic fable to life? This activity features The Lion and The Mouse puppets. It’s simple, cute, and full of storytelling fun.
Kids get to use their hands and thumbs to paint, stamp, and cut their way to their own lion and mouse puppets. It’s a hands-on way to create your own storytime props.
I loved using this kids craft with my boys because it’s easy for little hands plus fun and creative for older kids. Oh, and it’s budget-friendly with a few basic supplies, like paint, paper, and popsicle sticks!
I’m sharing a supply list, prep tips, and step-by-step instructions with photos. I hope you love these ideas for using your lion and mouse puppets in story retellings, puppet shows, and more.
The Lion and The Mouse Story Connection
The Lion and the Mouse is such a timeless and heartwarming fable. I love how it shows kids that no matter your size, you can make a difference. And that kindness often comes back around when you least expect it! It’s one of those simple yet powerful stories that kids connect with.
This tale was a favorite with my boys during toddler time and homeschool preschool. We loved acting it out, talking about the lesson, and finding little ways we could be “helpers” in our own home. Our Preschool Enchantment unit study on the fable was a big hit, too. This handprint and thumbprint craft was one of the most memorable ways we brought the story to life!
The best part? Once you’ve made your lion and mouse, you can use them in different ways:
- Keep them flat on paper as a sweet keepsake.
- Cut them out and attach to popsicle sticks to make fun story props.
- Use them in puppet shows to retell the fable (or even make up your own silly versions!).
This simple craft turns storytime into a hands-on experience kids will remember. And it’s such a joyful way to celebrate the message of the fable.
What You Need for This Fable Craft for Kids
You don’t need anything fancy to make this handprint lion and thumbprint mouse craft. A few basic supplies that you probably already have around the house will work just fine.
Below, I’ve listed everything we used to bring this fable craft to life. Feel free to swap in what works best for you (like construction paper instead of cardstock, or washable paint for easy cleanup).
- Yellow, orange, and gray paint
- White cardstock or thick paper
- Paintbrushes
- Black marker
- Scissors
- Jumbo popsicle sticks
- Glue
Set up a little “paint station” before you begin! Lay down newspaper or a plastic tablecloth, have wipes or a damp cloth handy, and pop kids into an old t-shirt or smock. It makes the process smoother and the cleanup so much easier.
How to Make The Lion and The Mouse Puppets
Make the Lion’s body and add head.
Paint the child’s hand yellow and stamp it onto white cardstock with fingers pointing downward. Let it dry. Paint a round yellow head shape on the side, just above the palm.
Paint the Lion’s mane and tail.
Use orange paint to make a thick, fluffy mane around the head.
Paint an orange bushy tail at the end of the thumbprint.
Add details to The Lion.
Use a black marker to draw on claws at the tip of each leg. Add a face with eyes, a nose, whiskers, and a smile to the lion’s head.
Make The Mouse body and features.
Paint the child’s thumb gray and stamp it on the paper.
Paint small round gray ears on top. Add a curvy gray tail coming from the side.
Add mouse face and finish the puppets.
Use a black marker to add eyes, nose, whiskers, and a smile.
Cut out the lion and the mouse carefully. Glue each one to a jumbo popsicle stick to turn them into puppets.
Creative Ideas and Extensions for This Fable Activity
This handprint lion and thumbprint mouse craft is super fun. If you have extra time or want to have even more learning and play, go for it! Here are a few ways to extend the activity:
- Story Retelling: Use your lion and mouse puppets to act out the fable. Encourage kids to add sound effects or use silly voices.
- Kindness Connections: Talk about ways to show kindness at home or in the community. Make a “Kindness List” together.
- Special Keepsake: Add your child’s name and the date to the back of the puppets. Save and cherish!
- Literacy Boost: Pair the craft with a picture book version of the tale. Kids can flip through the book while using their puppets to act it out.
FAQs about This Lion and Mouse Craft
This activity works well for toddlers through early elementary. Younger kids will need a little more help with the painting and cutting. Older kids can get creative with extra details.
Nope! If you’d rather skip the paint, you can trace your child’s hand on colored paper and cut it out for the lion. For the mouse, you can draw or cut out a small oval shape instead of a thumbprint.
The painting part only takes a few minutes, but you’ll want to allow drying time before adding details or cutting out the pieces. From start to finish (including drying), plan about 20-30 minutes.
Not at all, although they do make the puppets easy to hold. You could also tape them to straws, pencils, or even chopsticks if that’s what you have on hand.
Have Some Fun with The Lion and The Mouse!
The Lion and the Mouse is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest among us can make a big difference. This handprint lion and thumbprint mouse craft is the perfect way to bring that lesson to life.
Whether you hang your creations up or use as puppets for storytime fun, it’s a craft that your kids will remember.
I’d love to see how your lion and mouse turn out! Share your finished projects, puppet shows, or storytime moments in the comments below!
