DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Stuffed Paper Bag Whale

This is a classic craft that we've likely all made when we were young.  It continues to be loads of fun for the kids!

Materials:

• paint - blue or grey (tempra, poster or acrylic paints all work well)
• paper lunch bag
• newspaper
• blue construction paper
• elastic band or masking tape
• scotch tape
• glue,
• black marker
• Optional: big wiggly eyes

Instructions:

• stuff paper bag with shredded newspaper, leaving about 3 inches unstuffed
• Scrunch the top together and wrap an elastic band or masking tape around to seal.  
  • The stuffed part is the body of the whale.
  • The end (top of the bag) is the tail.
• paint the paper bag, including the tail, a whale color (blue or grey) or even black and white for an orca whale.  I never paint the bottom of the whale (the tummy).
• While your bag is drying...
• Cut out flipper shapes from the blue construction paper

• Cut a rectangle from the blue construction paper and cut slits in it (see the dotted lines below)

• Roll the piece around a pencil and tape it to make a tube (the spout of the whale)

Once the bag is dry:

• Scotch tape or glue the flippers  to the paper bag (I usually glue them to the tummy).
• You can poke a hole in the top of the bag with a pencil and squish the bottom of the spout in there and then apply scotch tape as needed.
• Use a black marker to draw on eyes and a nose (or use wiggly eyes or round stickers).

Whale Pinata:

You can add wrapped candy to the stuffing and then allow the kids to break open their whales with a stick (like a pinata).  Having said that, I find the kids grow so attached to their creations that they don't really have the heart to break them.

Jonah and the Whale:

Draw a "paper person" and cut him out OR twist a pipecleaner into a person shape like shown to the right.  This is Jonah.

Stuff the whale a little ways, then insert your Jonah into the whale.   Finish stuffing and continue on with the craft instructions as normal.

The children will know Jonah is "trapped" inside their whale.

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