Think of this craft as bringing a piece of the icy South Pole right into your hands.
In this craft, a peanut shell becomes the penguin’s tiny body, paint turns it into a tuxedo, and a few paper details bring it to life.
The result is a playful, wide-eyed character that feels like it’s about to waddle across your desk.
Bonus, they make perfect winter decorations, party favors, or little gifts that carry the joy of handmade wonder.
Materials Needed
- 6-10 whole peanut shells (about 1.5-2 inches each, cleaned and dried)
- 1 set of acrylic paints (black, white, and orange)
- 3 small paintbrushes (size 0-2 for details, size 4 flat for base coating)
- 1 sheet of black craft paper (5×5 inches)
- 1 sheet of orange craft paper (for beak and feet, 5×5 inches)
- Scissors (small and sharp)
- Craft glue or hot glue gun (low-temp)
- Googly eyes (0.5 inch in diameter, or you can cut white circles with black dots)
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Paint the entire peanut shell black, leaving an oval space in the front for the penguin’s white belly. Let it dry.
Step 2: Fill in the oval space with white paint to create the chest. A textured effect from the peanut shell will look like feathers.
Step 3: Cut two small wing shapes out of black paper, about 1.5 inches long each. Then glue them on both sides of the peanut.
Step 4: Cut a tiny orange triangle for the beak (about 0.3 inches long) and two small feet shapes (about 0.5 inches each). Attach them with glue.
Step 5: Glue on googly eyes (or paper-cut eyes) just above the beak. You can adjust placement for playful expressions, slightly crooked eyes can look extra funny!
Step 6: Let everything dry fully before handling. You can make several penguins to create a little colony.
Tips:
Try adding a mini scarf made of ribbon or felt to give your penguins some winter flair.
I once used a tiny scrap of red fabric, and it instantly turned the penguin into a Christmas ornament.