Moving Eagle Craft

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Create a fun moving eagle craft using our free printable eagle template! With flapping wings powered by a simple pull-string, this eagle puppet makes a great hands-on STEM activity while encouraging creativity and fine motor skills. Perfect for nature lessons, bird units, or just a fun afternoon craft!

If your child loves this moving eagle craft is a must-try! Using colored paper, brad pins, and string, kids can create a realistic eagle with moving wings.

This simple yet fun project teaches about mechanics and movement while bringing creativity to life. Whether you’re working on a science lesson about birds of prey or just want a fun craft project, this eagle is sure to be a favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Craft

• 🦅 Flapping Wings! – A fun pull-string mechanism makes the eagle’s wings move up and down!
• ✂️ Boosts Fine Motor Skills – Cutting, assembling, and threading the string builds coordination.
• 🎨 Creative & Educational – A great STEM-inspired craft for learning about birds and mechanics.
• 🏡 Great for Any Setting – Perfect for homeschooling, classrooms, and nature-themed activities.

Materials

• Colored Cardstock Papers: For the body base and wings.
• Colored Craft Papers: For the head, eyes, beak, and details.
• Pencil: To trace the template.
• Scissors: For cutting out the eagle parts.
• Craft Glue: To attach different parts together.
• Sharpies: To add details like eyes and outlines.
• Brad Pins: To allow the wings to move.
• String: For the pull mechanism.
• Popsicle Stick: To control the movement of the wings.

The Craft

This moving eagle craft combines art, mechanics, and nature into a fun interactive project. Kids will:
✔ Cut and assemble an eagle from colored paper.
✔ Attach moving wings using brad pins and string.
✔ Pull a popsicle stick to make the wings flap!

Instructions

Print & Cut the Template – Print and cut out all eagle parts, including the head, body base, wings, beak, feet, and eyes.

Create the Head – Attach the eyes and beak to the head cutout.

Attach the Head to the Body – Glue the head pattern to the top of the body base.

Prepare the Wings – Make two small holes in each wing where the brad pins will go.

Attach the Wings – Use brad pins to connect the wings to the sides of the body using the outer post holes on the back of the body piece.

It should look like the photo below from the back of the eagle.

Thread a small strand of string using a needle for the string, making it easier to draw the string through the holes.

Insert the string through the right hole of the left wing, from the top. Secure the open end of the string by tying a knot on the top.

Draw the string through the opposite wing hole, creating a loop.

Pull the wings closed and secure the other end of the string with a knot.

Place the popsicle stick under the string, right in the middle. Use glue or sticky tape to attach the popsicle stick with the string, in the middle.

Make sure the string is secure but loose enough to move freely.

Test It!

Pull the stick downward to open the wings. Push the stick upward to close them.

Watch your eagle flap its wings!

That’s it! You now have a cute, wing flapping eagle.

Top Tips

• 🎨 Use Different Colors – Try making bald eagles, golden eagles, or fantasy-colored birds!
• ✂️ Pre-Cut Pieces for Younger Kids – Help little ones with cutting and assembly.
• 🧵 Make Sure the String is Loose – If the wings don’t move well, try adjusting the tension.
• 🦅 Pair with a Bird Lesson – Learn fun facts about eagles while crafting!

Educational Uses

Teaches Basic Engineering Concepts – The pull-string movement introduces mechanics and simple machines.

Encourages Fine Motor Development – Cutting, threading, and assembling help hand-eye coordination.

Great for Bird & Nature Studies – Perfect for a unit on birds of prey or animal adaptations.

Boosts Creativity – Kids can decorate their eagles in different colors or make other birds!

Interactive Play – Makes a great puppet for storytelling or pretend play.

Grab the Free Printable

To grab the free moving eagle craft template, enter your name and email in the pink box below. We’ll send it straight to your inbox and keep you updated on more fun printable crafts.

This template is for personal or classroom use only—not for commercial purposes. Thank you!

This moving eagle craft is an exciting and educational project that lets kids bring their bird to life with flapping wings!

Whether you’re incorporating it into a lesson on birds, a nature study, or just want a fun craft, this simple yet engaging activity is a perfect choice. 🦅✨