13 Ridiculously Fun Dog Man Book Character Crafts Your Kids Will Actually Want To Make
Okay, let’s be real. If your house is anything like mine, Dog Man isn’t just a book—it’s a lifestyle. My kids quote Petey constantly, argue over who gets to be the “Chief,” and have read “Dog Man: Mothering Heights” so many times the spine is practically dust. It’s the perfect gateway to get reluctant readers hooked, but the fun shouldn’t stop when the last page is turned.
That’s why I put together this massive list of super simple, mostly low-mess craft ideas straight from Dog Man’s world. These aren’t just busy work; they’re a way to bring the stories to life, spark some imaginative play, and maybe, just maybe, keep the kids entertained for a solid afternoon. All you need is some basic craft supplies you probably already have in the junk drawer—er, I mean, craft closet.
So grab some paper plates, pipe cleaners, and your trusty glue gun (for you, not the kids), and let’s get our craft on. These projects are perfect for a rainy day, a book club activity, or just a fun weekend project to show off your family’s fandom.
1. The Classic Paper Plate Dog Man Mask
You can’t have a Dog Man craft list without the iconic mask. This is the quintessential DIY that turns your little reader into the “top dog” himself. It’s so easy, even a certain cat with a tiny brain could probably figure it out (though he’d probably just use it to cause mischief).
Here’s the simple magic: take a standard white paper plate and fold it in half. Cut out a circle for the face, leaving the folded edge as the top of the head. Unfold it, and you have the basic shape. Now, for the ears, cut out two long, floppy shapes from brown construction paper and glue them to the sides.
For the face, you’ll use a black marker to draw on the big, expressive eyes and the iconic dog nose. Don’t forget the little black spots on the top of his head! Punch two holes on the sides and tie some string or yarn through them so your kiddo can wear it. It’s the fastest way to become a superhero.
Pro tip: Use a paper straw glued to the bottom if your kid prefers to hold it up like a lollipop instead of wearing it. {{}}
2. Petey’s Cardboard Tube “Lil Petey” Puppet
Let’s face it, Petey is the best villain because he’s so wonderfully complicated. And his clone, Lil Petey, is just pure sunshine. This cardboard tube puppet is perfect for recreating their father-son (sort of) dynamic. Save a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll cut in half for this one.
Wrap the tube in blue construction paper or just paint it. Lil Petey is mostly blue with a lighter blue belly. Cut out a small white circle for his face and a tiny black nose, then glue on those big expressive eyes. Add a little blue tail made from a pipe cleaner poked into the bottom of the tube.
For the ears, you can use small triangles of blue paper, or even better, pipe cleaners twisted into little loops. The best part? You can slip your fingers into the bottom to make him bow and wave. It’s a great way to act out the funny scenes from the books.
This is a fantastic boredom buster because it takes under ten minutes to make, but the play value lasts for hours.
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3. Flippy the Fish Sock Puppet
Poor Flippy. He just wants to live a life of luxury, but he’s always getting roped into Petey’s schemes. This sock puppet is a hilarious way to bring his grumpy, glamorous attitude to life. You’ll need a blue or orange sock—orange is perfect for his classic look.
Slip the sock over your hand and use the toe area as the mouth. Glue on some googly eyes (the bigger, the better for his expressive face) and a pair of lips made out of red felt. The key to Flippy is his attitude, so make sure to add some sharp, white felt teeth to the inside of the mouth flap.
To finish him off, glue some orange felt fins on the sides of the sock. You can even add a tiny crown made of gold paper if you’re feeling fancy, because he totally thinks he’s royalty. This puppet is sure to get some laughs when you make him “talk” in a high-pitched, demanding voice.
It’s the perfect craft for practicing those dramatic reading voices!
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4. The Chief’s Police Badge
Every superhero needs a boss, and the Chief is the best (and grumpiest) one around. This craft is perfect for little hands because it’s mostly about coloring and cutting. You can use a printable badge template or just freehand a star shape on some yellow cardstock.
Once you have your star cut out, let the kids go to town decorating it. They can write “POLICE” in big letters, add the number 88 (a nod to the series), and cover it in glitter or stickers. It’s all about making it look official.
For a more realistic look, wrap the star in aluminum foil before decorating. Then, glue it onto a piece of cardboard to make it sturdy. Add a safety pin to the back so they can wear it on their shirt.
This is a great way to get kids thinking about the characters and their roles in the story. Plus, it’s fun to have them boss you around for a change!
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5. Zuzu’s Paper Bag Crown
Zuzu is the sweetest little poodle, and she’s always dressed like royalty. This craft is ridiculously simple and uses a basic brown paper lunch bag. Flatten the bag and cut a zigzag pattern across the top to create the crown points.
Now, for the fun part—decorating! Zuzu has a classic pink and white color scheme, so grab some pink markers, stickers, and maybe some pom-poms. Let the kids glue on as many sparkly bits as they can find. The more ridiculous, the better.
You can also add some “pearls” by gluing on white beads or simply drawing circles with a white crayon. This is a super easy craft for younger kids who might not be ready for more complex cutting or sewing.
Once it’s done, they can wear it and pretend to be the Queen of the Dog Man universe. Just make sure they don’t get too bossy!
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6. 80-HD TV Cardboard Box
Remember the scene with the 80-HD TV? It’s one of the most iconic moments in the series. This is a bigger project, but it’s so worth it. Grab a medium-sized cardboard box and cut a large rectangle out of the front to be the “screen.”
Decorate the outside of the box to look like a retro television set. Use black paint or paper to cover it, and add some dials on the side made from bottle caps. The kids can then stand inside the box and be the “show” for the day.
To make it more interactive, cut out a bunch of paper “channels” with different Dog Man scenes on them. They can hold them up in front of the screen to “change the channel.”
This is an amazing craft for imaginative play. It keeps them busy for hours as they put on their own Dog Man show for the family.
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7. Petey’s Claw Machine (Craft Version)
Okay, this one is a bit ambitious, but you can simplify it. In the books, Petey has a giant claw machine. We can make a small, tabletop version using a clear plastic cup and some pipe cleaners. It won’t actually pick things up, but it looks super cool.
First, fill the cup with some crumpled paper and small Dog Man toys or character erasers. Then, use a pipe cleaner to create a simple claw shape (just bend it into a claw). Tape the claw to a pencil or a straw, and poke a hole in the top of the cup.
Now you can “control” the claw from the top! It’s a great prop for storytelling. You can pretend to be Petey trying to grab something from inside, but it never quite works.
It’s a fun engineering challenge for older kids, and it looks awesome sitting on a shelf. Just be prepared for the claw to be a little wonky—that’s part of the charm.
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8. Dog Man & Petey Origami Bookmarks
Turn reading time into craft time with these super functional origami bookmarks. You only need a square piece of paper for each one. There are tons of easy tutorials online for the basic “corner bookmark” shape, which is a simple origami fold.
Once you have the basic bookmark folded, it’s time to transform it into a character. For Dog Man, color it blue and brown, and add the ears and eyes. For Petey, color it blue and add his little tail and grumpy face.
This is a great activity for kids who love to draw. They can make a whole set of characters. They’re small, easy to store, and actually useful for keeping their place in the latest Dog Man adventure.
Plus, they make great little gifts for friends who are also fans of the series.
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9. The Supa Buddies Paper Chain
This is a classic classroom craft with a Dog Man twist. Instead of just a plain paper chain, we’re making a chain of the Supa Buddies! For this, you’ll need to fold paper accordion style and cut out a simple person shape. You’ll get a chain of connected figures.
Once you have your paper people chain, it’s time to decorate. Color the first one like Dog Man, the second like Lil Petey, and the third like Zuzu. It’s a fun way to talk about the team and their friendship.
This is a great craft for a playdate or a birthday party. It’s also a fantastic way to practice cutting skills with younger kids.
Hang the finished chain up on the wall as a festive decoration for a Dog Man themed party or just to brighten up the playroom.
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10. Petey’s “World’s Best Dad” Trophy
Despite everything, Petey has a soft spot for Lil Petey. This craft is a fun, ironic twist on the classic “World’s Best Dad” mug or trophy. You just need a simple paper cup or a small cardboard box.
Cover the cup with blue paper and write “World’s Best Dad” on it with a marker. To make it a trophy, glue it onto a cardboard tube base. You can add some gold glitter or stars to make it look fancy.
The joke is that Petey is a terrible dad, but he tries his best! It’s a hilarious craft that will make older kids and adults laugh. It’s also a sweet way to talk about the themes of family and redemption in the books.
This is a quirky addition to any Dog Man collection and a great conversation starter.
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11. The 80-HD Remote Control
To go along with the 80-HD TV box, you absolutely need a remote control! This is as simple as cutting out a rectangle from cardboard and letting the kids decorate it. It’s a perfect side project to keep the fun going.
Use silver paint or foil to cover the cardboard. Then, glue on different colored bottle caps or buttons to act as the “buttons.” You can label them with funny commands like “Bark,” “Sit,” or “Evil Laugh.”
This is a great way to get the kids involved in a bigger project. They can each make their own remote with their own special powers. One remote could control the “plot,” while another controls the “villain.”
It’s a great way to extend the play value of the TV box craft and let their personalities shine.
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12. Dog Man Handprint Art
This one is a sentimental keepsake that also happens to be super fun. It’s messy, but so worth it. You’ll need blue and brown washable paint. Paint your child’s hand blue and press it onto a piece of white paper. That’s the body and head!
Once the paint is dry, use a marker to add the face details—the eyes, nose, and mouth. Then, use brown paint or paper to add the floppy ears. You can also add a little red tie to make him look official.
This makes a fantastic gift for grandparents or a special piece of art to frame for their bedroom. It’s a beautiful way to capture their love for the character and how small their hands are right now.
It’s a little messy, but the result is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
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13. Flippy’s Luxury Pool (Sensory Bin)
Let’s take a break from the characters and make a setting! This is a super fun sensory bin that’s perfect for imaginative play. Grab a shallow plastic bin and fill it with blue-dyed rice or water beads.
Add some plastic fish toys or just cut out some fish shapes from craft foam. You can even add a little cardboard “lounge chair” for Flippy to relax on. The goal is to create a luxurious, relaxing space for the grumpy fish.
This is a great activity for younger kids who love to scoop, pour, and dig. It’s also a calm-down activity that can keep them occupied for a surprisingly long time.
Just be sure to supervise the water beads if you have very little ones, as they can be a choking hazard. It’s a great way to reenact Flippy’s favorite pastime: doing nothing.
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Get Crafting, Supa Buddies!
There you have it—thirteen pawsitively awesome craft ideas to keep the Dog Man magic alive long after the book is closed. Whether you’re making a simple mask or a full cardboard TV set, the most important thing is to have fun and let your imagination run wild. I’d love to see your creations, so tag me in your photos!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest Dog Man craft for a toddler?
The paper bag crown for Zuzu is perfect. It requires minimal cutting and lets them go wild with stickers and markers. The handprint art is also a great, low-stress option that results in a cute keepsake.
Can I use these crafts for a Dog Man birthday party?
Absolutely! The paper plate masks are perfect for party activities. You can set up a “craft station” with the paper chain and bookmarks. The cardboard TV box would make an amazing photo booth prop.
What are the best supplies to have on hand for these projects?
You’ll want a good stock of paper plates, construction paper, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, glue, and washable paint. Cardboard tubes and boxes are also your best friends for these kinds of projects.
How can I make these crafts more educational?
Use them to spark conversations about the story. Ask your child to retell a scene using their puppets. The origami bookmarks are perfect for promoting reading, and the paper chain can be used to talk about teamwork and friendship.
My kid isn’t that into arts and crafts. What should we do?
Try the cardboard tube puppet or the sensory bin. Sometimes kids who don’t like drawing or coloring love the more tactile or “building” aspects of these projects. Let them take the lead and modify the craft to their own liking.
