Beautiful Paper Bag Native Girl Craft for Kids – That Honors Indigenous Heritage!
Create a respectful Native American girl character using a simple paper bag and colorful construction paper!
This Thanksgiving craft features traditional Native details with colorful feathers, braided hair, and cultural patterns – perfect for teaching children about Indigenous heritage while crafting.
Paper Bag Native Girl Materials
Gather these supplies to create your Native girl:
- Brown paper bag (lunch bag size)
- Construction paper (black, orange, tan/beige, pink, blue, green, yellow, red)
- Black marker
- Glue stick
- Scissors (adult supervision recommended)
- Native girl templates (provided)
How to Make Your Paper Bag Native Girl
This craft is perfect for elementary-aged children, with adult help needed for cutting and assembly.
Step 1: Prepare All Template Pieces
- Cut and trace the template pieces seen in the image above.
- Next cut out 4 feathers each in a different color.
Step 2: Outline All Details
- Outline the templates using a marker for definition.
- Glue the two oblong pieces together to form a ‘v' shape chest piece.
- Add geometric patterns to the headband and chest piece.
- Glue the smaller black circle on top of the eyeballs and outline the eyeballs for definition.
Step 3: Add the Chest Decoration
- Attach the decorated V-shape neck piece to the center of the paper bag.
Step 4: Add Facial Features
- Glue down the cheeks and eyeballs (Note: we only glued the bottom half of the eyes, so that we can tuck the fringe under the eyeballs in the last step).
Step 6: Attach the Hair
- Attach the hair braids on both sides of the face.
- Glue the yellow hair ties on the hair braids.
- Glue down the remaining hair at the top of the paper bag.
- We left the top of the eyeballs unglued so that we could tuck the hair behind the hair, but it will also look cute with the hair going over the top of the eyes.
- Pop the hair band on top of the hair but don't glue it down yet as we will need to pop some feathers behind the band.
Step 7: Complete with Feathers
- Arrange the blue, green, yellow, and red feathers in the headband. Attach the colorful feathers behind the hair band.
- Then glue down your hair band to complete your native girl.
Complete Your Thanksgiving Story Collection
Ready to create a full Thanksgiving scene? This Paper Bag Native Girl works perfectly with other paper bag characters to tell the complete first Thanksgiving story:
Paper Bag Pilgrim Girl – Create the traditional female Pilgrim with her white bonnet and black dress. Find the full tutorial on our blog.
Paper Bag Pilgrim Boy – Create the traditional male Pilgrim with his black hat and colonial outfit. Find the full tutorial on our blog.
Paper Bag Turkey – Make the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast with colorful feathers and a proud gobble. Find the full tutorial on our blog.
Paper Bag Native Boy – Complete the historical representation with authentic Native American clothing and accessories. Find the full tutorial on our blog.
Each craft uses simple paper bags and construction paper, ensuring your entire Thanksgiving collection is both budget-friendly and educational.
Final Thoughts on Paper Bag Native Girl Craft
This delightful Thanksgiving craft combines cultural education with hands-on creativity.
The traditional Native American details help children learn about Indigenous heritage while developing crafting skills during the autumn season.
Ready for more seasonal and holiday crafts? Check out these favorites:
- 30 Easy & Simple Thanksgiving Crafts for Preschoolers To Make
- 50 Easy and Fun Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
- 25 Handprint Thanksgiving Crafts and Art for Kids Perfect for Keepsakes
- 50 Fun November Crafts for Kids
Explore our blog for even more Thanksgiving crafts that combine creativity with learning!
