Last Updated on August 20, 2026 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: While learning about hibernation, put together this easy toddler bear cave craft using paper sacks!
During the last two weeks of January, we do a very simple hibernation theme with our toddlers.
Because this age group loves bears, we focus on how sleepy bears are during the winter and how they sleep in their caves.
We have a big cave in our dramatic play area where our stuffed bears sleep, and we have bears in various centers of our classroom.
During art, we usually make a cave using paper bowls.
However, I saw this idea from Foam & Felt using a paper bag and thought it might be more suitable for toddlers.
When they were finished, I hung them in the window close to the children’s level.
Before the Activity
Read a bear book and talk about how bears sleep a lot in the winter!
Winter Activities Bundle
- 6 Winter-Themed Sets
- Download, Print, Enjoy!
Toddler Bear Cave Craft
Supplies
Preparation
Make copies of the bears so that each child has a few. (A few of my students wanted a family of bears similar to their own families.) Cut them out.
Open lunch sacks and cut an opening in the lower half. (See photos.)
Place cotton balls in containers and pour glue into separate containers.
Step One: Putting Snow on the Caves
At each spot have a paper bag cave, glue, paint brush, and some cotton balls.
Tell your children that it’s very cold with snow, so they will put the snow on the bear cave.
Make sure glue does not go in the inside of the bag or it won’t be able to open!
Let dry.
Step Two: Put the Bear(s) in the Cave
Have your children select the bear(s) they want to put into their caves.
Then, take a glue stick and rub it either on the back of the bear(s) or on the bottom of the inside of the cave.
Press the bear(s) onto the sticky part of the paper.
Hang the Bear Caves
I took string and hung it across one of our windows.
I then attached the caves to the string using clothespins.
More Bear Ideas
Art: Bear Tracks
Art: Winter Bear Bubble Wrap Prints
Circle Time: Winter Bear Props (Freebie)
Fine Motor: Bear Color Pages (Freebie)
Counting: Bear 1-10 Counting Cards (Freebie)
Colors: Bears and Caves Color Matching
Light Table: Bears and Caves
Dramatic Play: Bears Den Play
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