Paper is fine for a quick collage, but a wood penguin behaves better when little (or big) hands get enthusiastic with glue, or when a project needs to be handled day after day. The surface takes primer and acrylic without pilling; stickers and felt trims stick and stay; and if a color choice goes sideways, you can sand, prime, and try again.
There’s also the simplicity factor. A penguin’s big shapes — the oval body, the white belly, the beak, and feet — help younger kids recognize forms and practice placement, while older kids and adults can layer details, from soft feather shading to tiny plaid scarves. In other words, penguin arts and crafts meet the maker at their level.
If you’re hunting for a penguin craft material that works in a classroom, at a kitchen table, or as winter décor, starting with wood is the easiest route. A penguin cutout gives you an instant silhouette; all that’s left is the fun part: paint and personality!
Woodpeckers offers several sizes and styles — handy if you want a quick activity for kids, a sturdy keepsake, or a statement piece for a wall:
- Penguin Cutout with Winter Hat
- Large Penguin Cutout (12” x 9 ½”)
- Extra Large Penguin Cutout (18” x 14 ¼”)
- Small Penguin Cutout (6” x 4 ¾”)
They’re all unfinished wood, so paint grips nicely, and the edges are clean. Think of each one as a blank “costume rack” for characters you’ll swap in and out all winter long!
Choose the right cutout for your plan
Small (6”) works best when you want quick projects or a lot of pieces at once — classroom sets, party favors, or ornament projects, to name a few. The size encourages bold shapes and bright color blocking. Younger children feel successful as they can finish their penguin fast.
Small ornaments project: Paint a batch assembly-line style: bases first, details second. Punch a hole near the hat tip (or hot-glue a loop to the back), then thread baker’s twine. Write names on the back and you’ve got classroom gifts or place cards that double as keepsakes.
Large (12”) is the “just right” size for most situations. There’s room for expressive faces and accessories (scarves, ear muffs, bow ties, etc), but not so much area that the painting feels endless. Great for family craft nights!
12” kitchen or classroom mascots project: Give each penguin a job. “Hot chocolate monitor” stands by the cocoa bar, “Welcome Penguin” sits by the door, “Reading Buddy” perches near the bookshelf with a tiny wooden book glued to a flipper. Kids love the idea; adults appreciate the gentle organization.
Extra Large (18”) reads as décor. If you’re dressing a hallway, kitchen area, or entryway, this is the scale that catches eyes. It’s also perfect for sign-makers who want lettering across the belly — think “Chill Zone,” “Welcome, Friends,” or “Snow Much Fun!”
18” porch greeter project: Mount to a board for sturdiness, add a stake if it’s going in a planter, and weather-seal the edges. A felt scarf handles wind better than paper ribbon, and a satin finish wipes clean.
Our penguin with a winter hat is a fun one. The hat saves time for groups and preschool classes (no separate accessory to cut). It also gives adults a built-in place to play with different patterns. This one also works great for a gallery wall: make three in coordinated hats and hang vertically for a tidy “family portrait” vibe.
Penguin crafts for preschoolers
Very young makers want fast, easy results. Keep paint choices simple (black, white, orange, and one accent color). Painter’s tape along the belly curve creates a clean divide between black and white; remove it while the paint is slightly damp for a fun reveal. Consider swapping bristle brushes for foam daubers. These are easier for little hands to control, and they produce even coverage without streaks.
Instead of insisting on tiny details, lean into tactile elements. A fuzzy pom on the hat, felt for a scarf, a cotton-round “snowball” glued near the feet — these add texture that keeps small crafters engaged. If you’re concerned about dry times, pre-paint the black base on a set of penguin cutouts the day before. Then class time becomes belly, beak, feet, and accessories.
These kinds of easy penguin crafts are perfect for preschoolers. A few steps, playful results, and something fun to send home.
Penguin crafts for kids
Elementary-aged kids can handle a little more layering and choice. For penguin craft ideas, offer two paths: stylized and semi-realistic.
Stylized: Big graphic shapes, bold outlines, bright hats. Let them design patterns — zigzags, polka dots, checkerboards — on the hat or scarf. Encourage color families (cool blues and purples, or warm reds and pinks) so pieces look cohesive on a display, even with lots of variety.
Semi-realistic: Show a quick reference photo and point out how the white belly is oval, how the cheeks can have a warm gray shadow, and how a tiny white dot on the eye “brings it to life.” A round brush for the eye, a toothpick for the catchlight, and suddenly that penguin craft has personality.
If you’re in a school setting, this is a natural place to tie in vocabulary (habitat, waddle, molt) or geography (Antarctica vs. the Arctic). Two minutes of context makes the crafting feel connected to learning without turning it into a tedious worksheet.
Penguin crafts for adults
Grown-ups often want a polished look that can live on a shelf through February. Start by choosing a color story — icy blues and silvers for a subtle winter feel, or Nordic red-and-cream if you’re mixing with holiday décor.
A thin shadow along the right edge of the belly (cool gray, softened with a mop brush) adds dimension without fuss. Feather texture is optional and easy: dry-brush a lighter black or darker gray in downward strokes on the “wing” area.
Our 12” wood penguin is ideal for lettering. Pencil lightly, then go over it with a paint pen or liner brush. Long words curve nicely along the belly; shorter phrases nest across the head or wings.
Ready to build your flock with Woodpeckers?
Start small with an ornament or go big with an entryway greeter — either way, wood takes the stress out and leaves the fun in. Pick the penguin cutout that matches your plan: our small one for speedy sets, our 12-inch wood penguin for family craft night, our 18-inch for that porch statement, or our winter hat version when you want instant charm and a preset face and body. From there, it’s just paint, a scarf, and maybe a pom or two.
If you need a supply list tailored to your classroom size, a color palette that plays nicely with your décor, or a printable set of steps for a scout meeting, say the word. Woodpeckers has everything you need to get your winter décor and gifting started on the right foot. Until then, happy penguin crafting! May every beak, belly, and hat brim come out just the way you pictured.
Did you enjoy our guide to crafting with wooden penguins? Be sure to check out our wooden penguin shop to find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!
