An adult cuts one broad green hairpiece with a zigzag upper edge, keeping it as a single large piece. Lay the paper bag flat with its folded bottom facing upward; that bottom flap will become the monster's face.
Let the child brush purple paint over the upward-facing side and bottom flap. Use a light coat so the bag stays sturdy. An adult opens and closes the flap gently before the paint dries to keep it from sticking.
Once the paint is completely dry, an adult adds glue to the straight lower edge of the hairpiece. Help the child press it behind the top of the face flap so the green points stick up like silly hair.
Ask the child to choose a happy or sleepy expression. An adult draws two big eyes and a smile on the face flap. Slip a hand into the bag, gently move the flap and let the monster say hello in a quiet, silly voice.
A little help: Keep paint and glue out of mouths and supervise the whole activity. Use drawn features, not loose eyes or teeth. A paper bag is a hand puppet only; never place it over anyone's head.
Make a friendly green monster crown with enormous paper eyes, purple horns, and a grin your child designs. Then invent a silly monster walk for a living-room parade.
25 min hands-on · 1 or more makers Ages 3–4 with a grown-up; older children can make their own
Fill a paper cauldron with pretend fizzy bubbles, crinkled tissue, and little yellow stars. Everything stays on the page: a colorful witches-and-wizards project with no mixing or heat.
35 min hands-on · 1 or more makers Ages 6+ with a grown-up nearby
Let a toddler explore orange paint on a big paper pumpkin, then choose a friendly face together. There is no carving and no need to stay inside the lines.
25 min hands-on · 1–4 makers, each with an adult nearby Ages 2–4 with a hands-on adult throughout
