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Animal Instincts

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  • Pipe Cleaner Creatures
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    Pipe Cleaner Creatures

    This type of animal fits comfortably into a pocket or pencil case, won't make a peep during class, and is easy to take care of: It doesn't need food or water, and it never gets fleas.

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  • 2 of 11

    Pets Rock

    These frogs are up to no good. They're trying to look nonchalant, but as anyone can see, their heavy-lidded eyes are ready to pop open at the prospect of a fly lunch. Help kids create these frogs and other favorite animals using our technique.

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  • 3 of 11

    Pom-Pom Animals

    We usually see them tied to ice skates or perched atop winter hats, but with a little imagination, pom-poms can be transformed into surprisingly realistic, delightful little creatures.

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  • 4 of 11

    Dino-Mittens

    On chilly days, slip kids' hands into mittens you've decorated to look like ferocious beasts. Try a pair of fire-breathing dragons for maximum toastiness. If it's bitingly cold, however, our shark works best. Lion mittens are especially good when the wind roars.

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  • 5 of 11

    Elephant Feet

    The coolest elephants stomp through the playroom jungle on tomato can stilts. With a punch-type can opener, make holes in the sides of an unopened 15-ounce can of tomato puree; drain, rinse, and dry can. Use acrylic paint for toenails. Cut a nylon stretch cord to about 60 inches, depending on child's height; thread it through holes, and knot.
  • 6 of 11

    Paper Bag Puppets

    Kids don't need to pull any strings to find puppets eager to put on a show. In fact, they can make the chatty creatures themselves. All a young puppeteer needs are a few paper bags, some scraps of colored paper, and a lazy afternoon.

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  • 7 of 11

    Jungle Diorama

    What better way for your children to an afternoon than by transforming ordinary household paraphernalia into three-dimensional little worlds, full of color and complete with foreground, background, and a perspective all their own?

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  • 8 of 11

    Balloon Animals

    Invite a few lofty friends to your bash. Some may say this bear, chick, and pig have inflated egos; that's probably because they're helium-filled balloons. Cut features and legs out of tissue paper, which won't weigh down balloons; cut ears out of a lightweight paper that won't flop, such as vellum. Affix with double-sided tape (ears should have tabs).
  • 9 of 11

    Shell Creatures

    Sea creatures are notoriously shy, but the ones you see here came out of their shells (so to speak) to tell you their stories. These koalas find the climate in the northern hemisphere too clammy for their taste. A eucalyptus tree of two long razor clams decorated with ring-topped cowries helps them feel at home. The baby rabbit's mini-mussel ears perked right up when his mom served him this shell-carrot dinner on a sea-biscuit plate. To make these and other shell creatures, follow our how-to below.

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  • 10 of 11

    Bear Cub Hat

    A teddy bear toque keeps the heat in and provides a cheerful playmate. Even better, it can be made from a plain knit hat using nothing more than some cotton batting and a few quick stitches with contrasting yarn. Look for a tall hat with a rolled edge, like this one, or unfold the cuff of a ski hat. The end result proves it: Two heads are cuter than one.

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  • 11 of 11

    Stuffed Animals

    These petite stuffed animals -- a Fair Isle lamb, a cable-knit chicken, and an argyle pig-are so cuddly and simple to make, you'll want a menagerie. The toys, which range in height from 5 to 8 inches, are each assembled from a few basic felt pieces and plumped up with batting. Appendages, such as floppy ears or wings, are easily added during sewing. Wrap up the woolly creatures to give to your favorite tots, or use them as stocking stuffers.

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  • Pipe Cleaner Creatures
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