Free Articulated Leprechaun Paper Puppet for St Patricks Day

A Leprechaun’s visit to Red Ted Art is long overdue… don’t you agree? And what more enjoyable way to celebrate thisSt Patrick’s Daythan with aprintable Leprechaun Paper Puppet? The complete-color leprechaun printable remains free for Red Ted Art readers.

Dancing Leprechaun Puppets

Leprechaun Paper Puppet for St Patrick's Day. Adorable Paper Leprechaun Printable. Love these fabulously easy articulated paper puppet how to #leprechaun #paperpuppet #puppet #catchaleprechaun #stpatricksday #printables

This paper toy makes a wonderful project to create with children this St Patrick’s Day. Pick from our leprechaun printables – whether it’s the Colour Your Own Leprechaun or the pre-coloured Leprechaun Paper Puppet, ready to cut out and assemble.

There is now also a helpful Lesson Plan andprintable instructions on Teachers Pay Teacherstoo! This adorable little paper toy is perfect for St Patrick’s Day and makes a fantastic addition to ourSt Patrick’s Day Craftscollection!

Enjoy Paper Puppets Printables?

We offer MANY more wonderfulPaper Puppets with Templates for every occasion – including a brilliant collection of Christmas Articulated Paper Puppets, along with bats, dragons and Day of the Dead Puppet Printables. Take a look around!

Leprechaun Paper Puppet – Supplies

Light card stock works wonderfully for these DIY Leprecaun Puppets – you may also Laminate them if preferred!
Either paper & a laminator with laminting sheets OR light card stock suitable for your printer
Hole punch (single hole hole punches are particularly useful)
Brads/ split pins
Green Bakers Twine (I absolutely LOVE bakers twine)
A large, sharp needle
PENS – optional – if you choose to download the “colour your own” Leprechaun Paper Puppet Template

As always, there are several options available. Download the individual freebie (full color without instructions) at no cost (just enter $0 at check out), or get the complete set (coloring page, full color, plus ad-free printable instructions) from either gumroad or Teacher’s Pay Teachers (the better deal!).

How to create your Leprechaun Paper Puppet (Articulated)

Watch the Paper Puppet Assembly video tutorial, or use the written step-by-step directions below!! Have fun. If you prefer, the longer video version is also available on YouTube!

I especially love how the “colour your own”/ coloring page version lets you make the printable personal. Enjoy experimenting with colours, patterns and shadings!

How to make a St Patrick’s Day paper puppet move – directions step by step

Find the Lesson Plan, printable instructions and, naturally, the printables over in myTeacher’s Pay Teacher’s Store for less than the price of a cup of coffee. Alternatively, create the full color free leprechaun puppet printable. Enjoy!

First, select either the colour your own paper puppet or the ready-to-assemble Leprechaun puppet -print the Leprechaun best suited to your child! When using a laminator, print onto regular paper; when using card alone, print straight onto the card. Make certain the card is compatible with your printer.
If you are colouring, decorate your Leprechaun now…. after it is completely coloured, pass it through the laminator.
Next, cut out all the Leprechaun “bits”. Try to cut them as carefully as possible.
With your hole punch, create openings for the moving sections – 4 in the body, plus one in each arm and leg of your Leprechaun Puppet.

Putting Together a Paper Puppet

Thread the needle. A large-eyed, pointed needle is especially helpful – particularly when using a laminator. If your paper puppets are laminated, you MAY have to create the bakers twine holes with scissors.
Use your brads / split pins to loosely attach the arms and legs.
Next, lead the thread through the marked hole in one arm and then through the opposite one.
Position the Leprechaun’s arms downward and ensure the thread crosses in a straight line – neither too tight nor too slack. Tie a knot at the other end.
Do the same with the Leprechaun’s legs.
There is one final step – attach a connecting length of string between the arms and legs. It must not be too tight (or the arms won’t move) or too loose (or the legs own’t move).. once again.. it should be “just right”…