Swinging into Fun: The Monkey Mask Craft
The rainforest canopy is alive with the sounds of chatter and the sight of playful tails swinging from branch to branch! To bring that energy into our Rainforest Habitat unit, we are making these adorable Monkey Masks. It’s one of my favorite ways to encourage dramatic play—once the masks are on, our classroom transforms into a lively jungle full of little monkeys!
This craft is perfect for building confidence and imagination. Plus, I’ve included a printable template to make prep easy for parents and teachers alike.
🎨 Download the Free Monkey Mask Template & Monkey Coloring Page!
Ready to bring the jungle to your living room or classroom? You can grab the Monkey Mask Printable and the Bonus Monkey Coloring Page right now!
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Why This Craft is Great for Kids:
Dramatic Play: Wearing a mask allows children to “step into the character” of a rainforest animal, fostering empathy and storytelling.
Fine Motor Focus: Coloring within the lines and holding the craft stick while playing helps develop steady hands and a strong grip.
Creative Expression: Every monkey is different! Some might be brown, some might be grey, and some might even have “rainbow fur” depending on your student’s imagination.
Materials Needed:
Gather these simple supplies for your jungle transformation:
The Template: Our Monkey Mask printable.
The Base: A sturdy jumbo craft stick.
The Details: Crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
Tools: Safety scissors and school glue or clear tape.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Print Your Monkey:
Download and print our monkey mask template onto cardstock or heavy paper for extra durability.
2. Add Some Color:
Let your little learner color their monkey! Encourage them to think about what colors a monkey might need to hide in the trees.
3. Cut with Care:
Use safety scissors to cut around the edge of the monkey’s face.
Teacher Tip: Adults can help by carefully cutting out the eye holes so the kids can see where they are swinging!
4. Attach the Handle:
Glue or tape the jumbo craft stick to the back of the mask at the bottom. This makes it easy for children to hold the mask up to their faces during play.
Watch the full tutorial video below:
🌞 Final Thoughts
Whether they are “oo-oo-ah-ah-ing” around the room or quietly coloring their bonus page, these monkey crafts are a fantastic way to celebrate the vibrant life of the rainforest. At missannasclass.com, we know that when children are actively engaged in play, they are learning the most important lessons of all.
Helping Children Thrive Miss Anna’s Class believes in learning through joyful, hands-on experiences. Our Video Course builds confidence and focuses on exciting science and phonics to launch reading, ensuring your child starts ahead of their peers and is guaranteed to be ready for school.
👉 Save this idea on Pinterest so you’ll have this “swinging” craft ready for your next rainforest habitat lesson!
NICE TO MEET YOU!
I’m AnnaJo Mason, and I love teaching! I used to be a kindergarten teacher, and now I teach pre-kindergarten and sell my accelerated reading course. I love helping parents achieve early literacy success, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Did your child make reading progress? Tag @missannasclassreads (or your social media handle) on Instagram so we can cheer you on!