Moving-jaw dragon
One A4 sheet with five cut-out pieces, fold marks and short assembly notes.
Download PDFFREE PAPER CRAFT TEMPLATES
Paper dragon puppet template
Build an original little dragon with a hinged jaw you can open and close by hand. One A4 sheet contains a horned head, lower jaw, folded paper hinge and two finger loops. The printed design is a starting point for your own colors.
Original designsPrintable PDFsStep-by-step instructions
Choose your template PRINT & MAKE
Choose a template.
Print at 100% / Actual size.
Each PDF includes its intended paper size.
STEP BY STEP
How to make it.
Print, color and cut
Print the A4 PDF at 100%. Color first, then cut out five pieces: the horned head, jaw, hinge strip and two finger-loop strips. The mouth teeth are printed details, so they do not need individual cuts.
Make the flexible hinge
Fold the hinge lengthwise on its dashed center line. Line up the lower edge of the head and the upper edge of the jaw. Attach one hinge wing to the back of each piece, keeping the center fold free to bend. Let the glue dry.
Attach the finger loops
Fold each loop strip on its two dashed lines. Curve the center section into a loose arch. Tape the short end tabs to the back of the head or jaw. Adjust the arch to your fingers before fixing the second tab.
Bring your dragon to life
Slip fingers through the upper loop and a thumb through the lower loop. Support the two panels and bend the hinge gently to open and close the jaw. Reinforce the back of the hinge with tape if needed.
A few useful tips
- Light cardstock makes the face sturdier; a plain paper hinge bends more easily.
- Fit the loops to the person using the puppet rather than making them tight.
- Let glued joins dry before moving the mouth. Keep tape off the hinge fold itself.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions.
Quick answers before you print.
Does the dragon template include a moving mouth?+
Yes. The lower jaw attaches to the head with a folded paper hinge. Two separate loops on the back give your fingers and thumb places to hold the pieces.
Is this a branded dragon character?+
No. It is an original generic dragon design that you can color and personalize.
Do I need to cut out every tooth?+
No. The teeth are printed decoration inside the head and jaw shapes. Cut the five main outside outlines only.
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