10 Enchanting Fairy Tale Crafts for Preschool - Education Outside (2024)

Who could ever forget the story of these pigs embarking on a journey to a new season of their lives only to be marked as prey by a hungry wolf? This classic story has taken on many different versions, but the pigs’ tenacity remained unchanging.

This activity will make retelling the story engaging and animated with these props. They can also be used for counting and learning about colors.

The pig’s houses can be used in teaching the different features of the materials they were made from.

Have the children paint the toilet paper rolls a pale pink or peach color. Paint the paper towel roll black. Let these dry.

Next, cut out each of the paper rolls to resemble the animals. Cut out pointy ears and an arch shape at the bottom for the feet.

Do the same for the wolf. Next, use a craft knife to cut out its mouth. Cut a flap and some sharp teeth. Add the googly eyes and some eyebrows using gray felt.

Add the snout on all the pigs using scrap felt. Cut three small round shapes of pink felt and add two dots to each one using a pen. Attach these to the pigs. Stick the googly eyes for each one. Use scrap felt to make the pig’s overalls.

Make three origami houses for each pig. Refer to the pictures on the site for this step. Use the markers to decorate each house.

For this activity, you will need:

• Three toilet paper rolls
• One paper towel roll
• Paint
• Googly eyes
• Scraps of felt
• Glue
• Paper and markers
• Craft knife

For more information on this activity, go to RedTedArt.com.

Can a pumpkin turn into a vehicle? In this classic story of a princess, it is possible. This carriage craft is based on the scene where Cinderella rides a pumpkin that was magically transformed into a vehicle.

Use this to retell the story, improving children’s oral language development. Every girl will surely fall for this magical carriage.

Start by cutting the ribbed edges from the two small paper plates. Trim these to make them part of the wheels later. Next, cut the remaining part and make a swirl-like pattern. From the end, cut in a circular motion leading up to the center of the plate.

Once finished, snip a small piece from the end to the center to create a gap between the swirls.

These swirls will become the wheels of the carriage. Paint these with the preferred color using glitter paint. Let these dry.

Paint the large paper plates with the chosen color as well. Once dry, cut an opening in the middle in the shape of an oval.

Cut this oval part in half and adhere it to the bottom part of the opening. This part will be the door of the carriage. Use tissue paper to make the curtains. Decorate using glue or toy jewels if available.

Add the sticker of Cinderella on the second paper plate, ensuring that it is positioned on the opening of the first paper plate. Glue the plates together. Attach the wheels. Let this dry before using.

For this activity, you will need:

• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Glitter
• Glitter paint
• Two large and two small paper plates
• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Cinderella sticker
• Craft knife

For more information on this activity, go to ArtsyMomma.com.

This crowned amphibian is a definite winner for every princess. Turn the humble egg carton cup into a craft fit for royalty.

Cut two cups from the egg carton. Trim the edges for them to fit firmly on top of each other. This pair will make the head of the frog. Paint these green and let them dry.

Next, make the long tongue by cutting out a strip of red paper and using the pencil to curl its end. Attach this under one of the cups. Add the eyes by cutting two white circles.

Use the paintbrush to make black circles inside for the pupils. Attach these to the cup with the tongue. Cut out the crown and a bow tie from the yellow paper. Stick these on the cup.

Lastly, decide whether to stick both cups together or keep them apart. Having these cups attached is perfect to use as math counters.

Keeping them unattached is great for mini mystery boxes. Hide small strips of paper with letters, numbers, colors, or shapes to make learning fun and exciting.

For this activity, you will need:

• Egg carton cups
• White, yellow, and green papers
• Black and green paints
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Glue

For more information on this activity, go to CraftyMorning.com. Or, for more like this, check out our round-up of frog crafts for preschoolers.

Repurpose shoe boxes by turning them into a stage perfect for storytelling. This version is inspired by the story Little Red Riding Hood. Encourage children to recycle different materials at home with this project.

Using story props like this will encourage children to develop their oral language and narrative skills through retelling the story.

Find a shoe box that looks sturdy. Cut out the two corners to open it up. The flap will become an extended part of the stage.

Paint the bottom of the box green to make it appear like a grassy forest area. Use blue paint to cover the sides of the box, which corresponds to the sky.

Make the trees in the forest by covering the toilet paper rolls with brown paper. Attach these on the forest floor by making small flaps. Make three to four cuts on one of the toilet paper’s edges roll, fold the flaps flat, and glue on the floor.

Use green tissue paper to cover the forest floor and to make the treetops. Cut out shapes from colored paper to make Grandma’s house. Use the black marker to add details.

Add other details like cotton for the clouds and flower foam stickers. Use Little Red Riding Hood stick puppets or finger puppets for this story box.

For this activity, you will need:

• A shoe box
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls cut into pieces
• Brown paper
• Green tissue paper
• Foam stickers
• Colored papers
• Black marker

For more information on this activity, go to TheImaginationTree.com.

Do not throw away those old and discolored wooden spoons in your kitchen. Turn them into puppets that children will enjoy playing with. Lessening the clutter may mean an extra fun time with the kids.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears spoon puppets are great props for storytelling, for counting, and as an extra tool for teaching numbers and letters. Just attach letter and number cards on the spoon’s handle or use these as pointers.

Make the three bears by painting the three spoons brown. Use a lighter shade of brown for their ears. Add a blue bowtie for the baby bear, a pink flower for the mama bear, and a black tie for the papa bear.

Use a skin tone color for Goldilocks. Add yellow hair, rosy cheeks, and red ribbons for her hair tie. Allow the paint to dry before adding details.

Next, use the black marker to add the characters’ eyes, noses, and mouths. Seal these puppets using a decoupage medium. This step will make the painted details on the spoons last long.

For this activity, you will need:

• Four wooden spoons
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Black marker
• Decoupage medium

For more information on this activity, go to MessyLittleMonster.com.

Bring to life this adorable uncatchable man using craft sticks and some creativity. Children will have a blast personalizing these gingerbread men by using available materials.

There are many ways to use this in teaching children. Use a different number of buttons on each gingerbread man to teach counting or different color buttons for patterns. Change the mouth illustrations to teach different emotions.

Glue together the three regular-sized craft sticks to make the gingerbread man’s body. Attach one mini craft stick horizontally in the middle of the three. This part will become the arms.

Cut one mini craft stick in half and attach it to the bottom part of the body for the legs. Position them, so they look like an inverted V. Set this aside to dry.

Paint the gingerbread man brown and allow it to dry. Use a circle punch to make a two-inch circle or cut one from brown cardstock. Use the markers to add details, such as black dots for the eyes, red dots for the rosy cheeks, and a white mouth.

Attach the head to the body and add lines on the legs and arms. Line up the buttons and glue them on the gingerbread man’s body. Let this dry.

For this activity, you will need:

• Three regular-sized craft sticks
• Two mini craft sticks
• Brown paint
• Brown cardstock
• Circle punch
• Black, red, and white markers
• Glue
• Scissors

For more information on this activity, go to MomBrite.com.

If the children fancy a gingerbread house, this craft is perfect! Children will enjoy customizing their houses by changing the doors and windows to suit their tastes.

They will learn to practice their cutting and pasting skills as they cut out the pieces from the template. They may also learn colors and sizes through the different designs of windows and doors.

Start with downloading and printing the template from the site. Cut out the pieces and trace them onto the chosen color of cardstock. The template can also be directly printed on colored paper.

Trace the roof on white and the house on beige cardstock. The windows and the doors will depend on the chosen design of the children. Cut out the parts of the house.

To assemble the house, glue the door on the house. Add the window on top of the door. Add decorations to the house, such as trees or candy canes.

Lastly, use the markers to add details to the windows, doors, and decorations.

For this activity, you will need:

• Printed gingerbread house template
• Cardstock in different colors
• Scissors
• Glue
• Black and red markers

For more information on this activity, go to NonToyGifts.com.

Give every child a chance to become Jack, who got hold of the goose that lays golden eggs with this craft. This adorable beanstalk towers over every little creature and can reach the sky where a giant awaits.

Children will have fun painting this tall beanstalk and cutting it. To make it more exciting. Use this craft to retell the story, but instead of Jack, use the child’s name as a substitute.

Start with laying out the kraft paper. This paper should be long enough to stick on the wall or door. Outline the beanstalk and the leaves. Exaggerate the size of the leaves to make them look gigantic compared to the child’s picture.

Have the child paint the stalk and leaves green. Add a second coat if necessary. Blend the paint colors to add depth to the finished project. Allow the paint to dry.

Cut out the child’s picture. Ensure that the picture is the child’s outline and that no background is included.

Once the beanstalk is dry, cut it out and attach it to the wall or door using double-sided tape. Next, let the child choose where the picture will be placed on the beanstalk. Stick the picture.

For this activity, you will need:

• Kraft paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Markers
• Picture of the child
• Double-sided tape
• Clothespin

For more information on this activity, go to NoTimeForFlashcards.com.

This winter fairies craft is a great project after a nature walk. Collect those pine cones and acorns that will end up in the trash. Use these to make some glittery and magical-looking fairies.

This craft will help children improve their fine motor skills through painting and sprinkling glitter on the pinecones.

Make sure to do the necessary preparations for the pinecones and acorns. Wash or soak them in vinegar to remove insects, dirt, sap, and molds. Dry them completely before using them for crafts.

Once the pinecones are ready, have the children choose a matching paint color and glitter. Cover the pinecones and acorns with paint and sprinkle glitter while still wet. Let these dry.

Fold a pipe cleaner to make the wing. Take both ends and take it to the middle part to form a B shape or like butterfly wings. Tie the ends to secure. Make two of these.

Use the hot glue gun to attach the acorn to the pine cone. Next, attach wings to the pinecone. Add the pompom to the hat. Glue the ribbon on the head to make it a hanging decor.

For this activity, you will need:

• Pine cones
• Large acorns
• Glitter
• Paint
• Pipe cleaner
• Pompom
• Ribbons
• Hot glue

For more information on this activity, go to LifeWithMooreBabies.com.

Recreate Rapunzel’s story by making her place of confinement. This special tower comes with braided hair hanging from the top.

Start with cutting several inches of yellow yarn. Braid these to resemble Rapunzel’s hair. Secure both ends to prevent them from fraying.

Next, cut a U-shape on one end of the toilet paper roll. This part will be the window.

Cut the colored paper into a cone shape for the tower’s roof. Attach this to the top of the window. Use paint or stickers to decorate the tower. Lastly, glue the braided yarn on the window.

Aside from using this craft to retell the story of Rapunzel, this can also be used in different ways. Modify the length of the tower by using more toilet paper rolls. Make several towers in different lengths for children to compare.

Make several towers with different roof colors to teach children colors and patterns. Write letters or numbers on the towers for children to identify.

For this activity, you will need:

• Toilet paper roll
• Paint
• Paper
• Yellow yarn
• Glue
• Scissors

For more information on this activity, go to Kidadl.com.