Searching for an enjoyable 4th of July project to celebrate the occasion? You’ll adore this Uncle Sam Paper Craft! Create your Uncle Sam to pair with a lesson on American Independence, enjoy as a simple afternoon activity, or turn him into a puppet. There are countless possibilities!
Naturally, we’ve added a Free Printable Uncle Sam Template featuring all the shapes and dimensions of the parts you’ll need. Another wonderful feature of this project is the use of mixed media materials, including yarn, pipe cleaners, and tiny pom buttons.
Uncle Sam Paper Puppet Craft
Before starting our Uncle Sam project, be sure to get our Uncle Sam template.
You’ll also need cardstock, markers, small googly eyes, a red pipe cleaner, white yarn, scissors, and glue. Additional decorations include pompoms, felt, and small glitter star cutouts.
July 4th Uncle Sam Craft Supplies Needed
- Uncle Sam Template
- Cardstock – skin tone, white, brown
- Sharpies – red, black
- Googly eyes, small
- Blue felt
- Red pipe cleaner
- White yarn
- Pompoms
- Small glitter star cutouts
- Scissors
- Glue
Uncle Sam 4th of July Craft Step by Step Directions
First, print the Uncle Sam template, then carefully cut out each piece.
For the head, ears, and hand shapes, we chose skin-tone cardstock, while brown cardstock was used for the shoes. The base, hat, and beard remained white. Blue felt was used for the coat shape. Trace every piece and cut them out.
Next, twist the tails of the red pipe cleaner bow around its center to hold the bow together. Snip away any extra length if necessary.
Attach the ear pieces to either side of the head shape, then cut a slit between the top and brim of the hat piece.
Position the hat band just above the slit on the hat piece. Secure the stars to the band with glue.
After that, cut several short yarn pieces to decorate the paper beard shape.
Adhere the yarn pieces to the paper beard, placing the strands close beside one another. Cut away any excess yarn following the outline of the paper beard. Then prepare a few shorter yarn strands for the hair.
Fasten the yarn hair pieces along both sides of the upper portion of the head.
Now, take a red sharpie and add vertical red lines to the top portion of the hat.
From underneath, slide the top of the head through the slit in the hat, then glue the head onto the hat.
Place the googly eyes on the face. Draw the nose and mouth with a black sharpie.
Next, create striped designs on the trouser section of the base piece using a red sharpie.
It’s now time to assemble everything. Glue the hands into position, followed by the shoes.
Attach the coat pieces to both sides of the upper base shape.
Place a small square neck piece at the upper center of the base.
Secure the pipe cleaner bow beneath the neck, then glue the pompoms on as buttons.
To finish, attach the head piece to the neck and allow the glue to dry.
Although the directions may appear lengthy, the project mainly involves cutting and gluing. The finished mixed media Uncle Sam craft is fantastic and ideal for July 4th!
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More 4th of July Crafts for Kids
Want to discover more entertaining 4th of July projects? Take a look at our Paper Shapes Uncle Sam Craft, Paper Bag Handprint Eagle Craft, Paper Bag Uncle Sam Craft, and Cardboard Roll Uncle Sam Craft, along with many other 4th of July crafts for kids at Our Kid Things!
Materials
- Uncle Sam Template
- Cardstock – skin tone, white, brown
- Sharpies – red, black
- Googly eyes, small
- Blue felt
- Red pipe cleaner
- White yarn
- Pompoms
- Small glitter star cutouts
- Scissors
- Glue
Instructions
- First, print the Uncle Sam template, then carefully cut out each piece.
- For the head, ears, and hand shapes, we chose skin-tone cardstock, while brown cardstock was used for the shoes. The base, hat, and beard remained white. Blue felt was used for the coat shape. Trace every piece and cut them out.
- Next, twist the tails of the red pipe cleaner bow around its center to hold the bow together. Snip away any extra length if necessary.
- Attach the ear pieces to either side of the head shape, then cut a slit between the top and brim of the hat piece.
- Position the hat band just above the slit on the hat piece. Secure the stars to the band with glue.
- After that, cut several short yarn pieces to decorate the paper beard shape.
- Adhere the yarn pieces to the paper beard, placing the strands close beside one another. Cut away any excess yarn following the outline of the paper beard. Then prepare a few shorter yarn strands for the hair.
- Fasten the yarn hair pieces along both sides of the upper portion of the head.
- Now, take a red sharpie and add vertical red lines to the top portion of the hat.
- From underneath, slide the top of the head through the slit in the hat, then glue the head onto the hat.
- Place the googly eyes on the face. Draw the nose and mouth with a black sharpie.
- Next, create striped designs on the trouser section of the base piece using a red sharpie.
- It’s now time to assemble everything. Glue the hands into position, followed by the shoes.
- Attach the coat pieces to both sides of the upper base shape.
- Place a small square neck piece at the upper center of the base.
- Secure the pipe cleaner bow beneath the neck, then glue the pompoms on as buttons.
- To finish, attach the head piece to the neck and allow the glue to dry.