Recycled Newspaper Snail Craft

Recycled Newspaper Snail Craft

Create an adorable snail using recycled newspaper! This simple paper craft comes together quickly, especially with the help of a free snail template. Once your snail is finished, you can make up stories and play with your new friend.

20-40 minutes Ages 3-8

About This Project

A 20–40 minutes craft for ages 3–8, using supplies you likely already have — Staplers, Pom Poms, and Scissors.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

Project Tags
indoor budget-friendly recycled material eco-friendly fine motor skills cutting imaginative play snail zoo animals nature painting stapling paper craft garden
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Staplers
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pom Poms
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Scissors
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Disposable Plates
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Googly Eyes
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Clothespins
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paint
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Markers
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Staples
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Construction Paper
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paint Brushes
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Newspapers
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Glue Sticks
    You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Recycled Newspaper Snail Craft

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Let's stick together and make this one!"

    Step 1: Cut Newspaper Circles

    Find a section of newspaper that has mostly words or comics. Try to avoid pages with big pictures. Layer two pieces of newspaper together. Ask an adult to help you draw a big circle on the top piece of newspaper. Then, ask an adult to help you cut out two big circles that are the same size. They should be about as wide as a folded newspaper page.

    Step 2: Use the Snail Template

    May need grown-up help
    Print out the snail template. Use the template to cut out the head and tail shapes for your snail from construction paper. You can pick any color you like for these parts!

    Step 3: Assemble Your Snail

    Place the tail of your snail in between the two newspaper circles you cut. Use the stapler to hold the tail in place. Make sure the staples are close together. Do the same thing with the snail's head. Then, staple around the rest of the newspaper circles, but leave a space about 5 inches wide open at the top. This open space is where you will put the stuffing later.

    Step 4: Decorate the Shell

    May need grown-up help
    If you don't have a paintbrush, you can make one! Just hold a small pompom with a clothespin to make a special paintbrush. Squeeze a little bit of paint onto some newspaper or a paper plate. You can choose any color you want! Paint a swirly spiral shape in the middle of the newspaper circle to make your snail's shell. If you don't want to use paint, you can use markers or crayons instead. After the paint dries, glue on the googly eyes and use markers to draw other fun details on your snail.

    Step 5: Stuff the Shell

    Tear strips of newspaper into smaller pieces. Crumple each piece into a little ball. Push these newspaper balls, one by one, into the open space you left in your snail's shell. Keep adding newspaper until the shell looks nice and puffy. Once the shell is full, ask an adult to help you use the stapler to close the opening.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Pom Poms
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Disposable Plates
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Disposable plates may be compostable or recyclable! Do your part to keep trash out of the landfill.
    • A cartoon of Googly Eyes
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Clothespins
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all paint lids tightly.
    • A cartoon of Markers
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all marker caps tightly.
    • A cartoon of Staples
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Construction Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Newspapers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Glue Sticks
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Put cap on glue sticks tightly.
    • A cartoon of Staplers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Scissors
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paint Brushes
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Rinse all the paint out of your paint brushes.

    Update what we have left

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  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Great job!"

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About the Author

In the Bag Kids Crafts

✂️ Easy, no-prep kids crafts & printables using a unique 27-supply “One Bag” system: perfect for home, classroom & homeschool |

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