Paper Lion Craft For KIDS (10 Minutes Of Pure Fun)

Have you ever heard a lion roar echo through your living room? Not likely, unless you live in a savanna (which would be pretty cool, but maybe a little inconvenient for grocery shopping).

But what if I told you there’s a way to bring the king of the jungle right into your home, and it involves zero danger and a whole lot of fun?

That’s right, we’re talking about crafting a mighty lion out of paper.

This isn’t your average construction paper cut-out though.

We’re using a special template to create a 3D paper lion craft for kids that will stand proudly on your shelf, ready to pounce (or maybe just purr) into playtime adventures.

So, grab your scissors, unleash your creativity, and get ready to roar with excitement as we transform a simple piece of paper into a ferocious feline friend.

Step 1: The making of paper lion shapes

I’ve created a custom paper lion template that you can use to bring this project to life.

In the images above, you’ll see how I drafted the shapes with a pen, making some adjustments before finalizing the outlines with a black marker for easy cutting.

No need to replicate the drawing yourself, though! If you’d like to use the same template, simply move on to the next step where I’ll show you how to assemble your lion.

Step 2: Paper Lion Template Source

I’ve made this paper lion template available for free download right here on my blog.

With just a click, you can print it out and get started on your ferocious feline friend.

Step 3: Cutting the Shapes

Once you’ve downloaded the template, it’s time to unleash your creativity.

Grab your favorite colored paper (I used shades of brown for a classic lion look) and get ready to cut out the shapes.

Step 4: The assembling process

Once all the shapes were cut out, I was ready to assemble my paper lion! I started by building the face.

The large dark brown shape became the base, and I layered the smaller light brown shape on top.

Step 5: Fixing the ear shapes

With our lion’s face complete, it was time to add the finishing touches.

I carefully aligned and glued the ear shapes into place.

For an extra touch of realism, I lightly shaded them with a brown colored pencil (you can see this in image 5.2 above).

But that’s not your only option, if you prefer, you can skip the shading and cut the ears out of a maroon colored paper instead.

Step 6: The main body structure

Time to bring the king of the jungle to life! I started by attaching the lighter-colored piece, the lion’s belly, to the back of its main body.

Remember that impressive mane? We’ll save that for later.

Next, peek at image 6.2 above for guidance, it shows how to glue the front leg onto the back of the belly section.

Voila! Our paper lion’s core is complete.

Step 7: Fixing the Head and Tail

Want to make this step interactive? Here’s a fun idea: flip a coin and let the kids guess heads or tails.

Depending on the outcome (mine landed on heads), we’ll either attach the head or the tail first.

• For the head: Make sure it’s lined up properly with the body. Apply glue to the designated edge and carefully attach it.
• For the tail: Apply glue to the edge and stick it securely to the back of the lion’s body.

Step 8: Sticking the nose shape

For the final flourish, we tackled the lion’s face.

First, I carefully aligned and glued the nose piece into place.

This ensured perfect positioning when I drew the eyes and mouth, you can see the final design in the image below.

With a few well-placed marks, the lion’s expression came to life.

Now, let’s breathe life into our lion’s face! I used colorful markers for this step.

First, I grabbed a black marker to create the bold eyes.

For the mouth, I used a dark brown shade but that’s not your only option.

Feel free to get creative, you could also use googly eyes (always a fun choice) or even cut out tiny circles yourself.

And there you have it! Our amazing paper lion is complete, ready to roar with pride on your shelf or join you on all sorts of adventures.

Video Walkthrough of paper Lion Craft

Final Thoughts

The downloadable template simplifies the process, allowing anyone to become a paper lion sculptor.

From choosing vibrant colors to playful googly eyes, each creation becomes a unique reflection of the crafter’s personality.

This project is more than a roar-some paper lion, it’s a roar for creativity.

It empowers children (and adults alike) to explore their artistic sides, fostering a sense of accomplishment as they bring their lion to life.

To make the most of this activity you can explain about the lifestyles of lions to your children.

It will be more like a learning activity along with fun and entertainment crafting sessions for children.

Lastly, for your reference I have also shared the video walkthrough of this paper lion craft on our official YouTube channel (This should help you to understand the concepts visually).

Frequently Asked Questions