Whimsical Winter Newspaper Penguin Craft

As the temperatures chill and the snow begins to fall, little, adorable, waddling penguins are sure to brighten up your home or classroom. That’s why penguin-themed activities are some of my favorite projects to make during the winter season. Today we’ll use some familiar items you may already have in your craft closet or kitchen to make these unique birds. Newspaper, paper towels, and paper lace doilies will add texture and give a vintage vibe to our winter artwork. Little fingers will get a workout as fine motor skills are on full display while we cut, glue, and use Legos to stamp snowflakes in the sky. Let’s get started and make a whimsical winter newspaper penguin craft!

Penguin Facts for Kids

1. Penguins cannot fly. They have flippers, not wings.
2. Penguins are excellent swimmers and divers.
3. The largest penguin is the emperor penguin.
4. Most penguins are black and white.
5. Most penguins eat krill (similar to shrimp), fish, and squid.

Newspaper in Art

As an elementary art teacher I love to use newspapers in a variety of art lessons and activities. It adds great interest and a vintage vibe to any art project. It’s a great way to tie in literacy as well as current events into the art making process. Unfortunately, newspapers are not as easy to find as they once were. I suggest scoping out the neighborhood to locate any wrapped papers thrown on lawns each Sunday morning. I’m sure your neighbors would be happy to pass on the newspapers to you when they are finished reading them. 

Materials for Winter Newspaper Penguin Craft

• Newspaper
• Construction Paper
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Paper Towels
• Paper Lace Doilies 
• Googly Eyes
• White Tempera Paint
• Lego Building Bricks

Step By Step Directions

Crack the Ice!

Cut out a variety of white triangles and glue them to the bottom of a blue piece of construction paper. Leave space between the triangles so the ice looks cracked.

Teacher Tip: Have your child view the triangles as puzzle pieces and turn them to fit into each spot correctly. 

Build a Penguin!

Draw the penguin’s body and flippers on a piece of newspaper, cut them out, and glue them to your work. I recommend drawing a large, tall rainbow shape for the body and two long, thin raindrop shapes for the flippers. Use black paper to add the beak and feet.

Teacher Tip: I suggest using the sports or comics section of the newspaper as they are most often age appropriate. 

A paper lace doily or a circular piece of paper towel works nicely for the belly. Finally, add two googly eyes. 

Dress them Up!

What would you like your penguin to wear? Perhaps a scarf to stay warm? Maybe a bowtie, hairbow, or tophat to look their best? Draw and cut out the items on construction paper and glue them on your penguin.

Teacher Tip: If your child is struggling to draw these items, perhaps have them follow along as you draw each item as a directed drawing.

“Lego” it Snow! 

Dip the bumpy end of a large Lego into white tempera paint and print snowflakes in the sky. Do you want to make a snowstorm or just some flurries? Cut out a variety of circles from paper towels and/or doilies to make more snow. 

Teacher Tip: I suggest stamping over the large paper snowballs. The overlapping will create interest and movement. 

Talk About Art

1. What is your penguin doing? Perhaps they are jumping, waving, waddling, or dancing?
2. Describe the weather in your artwork. What season is it?
3. Count the number of circles and triangles in your work.
4. If you look closely, can you read any words in your artwork?
5. Did you enjoy using a Lego as a painting tool? 

We would love to see your adorable penguins! Please tag @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g on Instagram.

CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO

Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.

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