4th of July Clothespin Puppets
- Jessie
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
All art projects & crafts require adult supervision. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy.
Get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a dash of history and a whole lot of creativity! Our 4th of July Clothespin Puppets are the perfect patriotic craft for kids — combining fun, fine motor skills, and a little lesson in American history. Just color, cut, and glue these adorable character templates onto clothespins, and watch as their mouths magically open and close. It’s a red, white, and blue celebration brought to life!
This printable puppet set includes five iconic figures: Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Betsy Ross. Each one is designed in a charming cartoon style perfect for coloring, and when attached to a clothespin, their mouths open and close to talk, sing, and cheer "Happy 4th of July!" These puppets are more than just cute — they’re a fun and interactive way to introduce kids to the founding figures and symbols of our nation.
Let’s start with the Statue of Liberty — the shining symbol of freedom! Did you know she was a gift from France in 1886? Kids will love bringing her to life with shades of green and gold, complete with a sparkly torch. She's not just a statue — she’s a storytelling puppet who can teach children all about liberty and hope.
Uncle Sam is next up with his famous top hat and goatee! While he wasn’t a real person, Uncle Sam became a symbol of American pride during the War of 1812 and was popularized by recruitment posters in World War I. Now, he can wave and cheer right from a clothespin as kids color him in patriotic red, white, and blue!
Of course, no Independence Day puppet set is complete without George Washington, our nation’s first president and Revolutionary War hero. Known as the “Father of His Country,” Washington was admired for his leadership and humility. Kids can make him speak with a bold voice by simply squeezing the clothespin!
Then there’s Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Did you know he was only 33 years old when he wrote it? With his quill and paper in hand, this puppet helps bring the story of America’s founding to life. Color him in with rich browns, blues, and golds — and let him read aloud from his famous document!
And don’t forget Betsy Ross, the talented seamstress believed to have sewn the very first American flag. Legend says she created the design with 13 stars in a circle — one for each of the original colonies. Her puppet version is sewing away with a smile, and kids will enjoy decorating her dress and flag in classic Americana style.
Whether you're planning a 4th of July party, a backyard BBQ craft station, or just a quiet afternoon of educational fun, these clothespin puppets are a must-have. With engaging designs and historical flair, they’re a fantastic way to celebrate America's birthday while keeping little hands busy and little minds inspired.
Materials Needed:
Wooden clothespins
White Cardstock Papper
Clothespin Puppets Template
Scissors
Glue
Colored pencils, markers or crayons
Step-by-Step Guide To Make 4th of July Clothespin Puppets
Step 1: Print the Templates
Start by printing the puppet templates on white cardstock paper. Cardstock works best because it's sturdy enough to hold up when glued to the clothespin and gives your puppet a crisp, clean look.
Step 3: Color Puppets
Now it’s time to bring your patriotic puppets to life with color! Grab your favorite crayons, markers, or colored pencils and start coloring in the Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Betsy Ross. Encourage kids to get creative — maybe Lady Liberty’s torch glows in rainbow colors, or Uncle Sam’s suit has extra sparkle! There’s no right or wrong way to color these puppets. Let your child’s personality and imagination shine through! Bold, bright, classic, or silly — this is their chance to create a one-of-a-kind puppet that’s ready to celebrate the 4th of July in style.
Step 3: Cut Out Each Puppet
Carefully cut around each puppet. Don’t worry about cutting on the line — you can save time by simply trimming around the outer edge of the character.
Once cut out, look for the dashed lines and cut each puppet in half at the mouth. This will create a top and bottom piece that fits perfectly on the clothespin.
Step 4: Glue to a Clothespin
Using Elmer’s school glue, attach the top half of the puppet to the top jaw of the clothespin (the part that lifts when you squeeze). Then line up the bottom half and glue it to the bottom jaw of the clothespin. Be sure everything is aligned so the puppet looks seamless when the mouth opens and closes. Let the glue dry completely before playing.
Now your patriotic puppets are ready to shine! Whether you’re putting on a silly puppet show, telling a story from history, or decorating for your 4th of July celebration, these clothespin characters are full of charm and personality. Just give them a squeeze, and watch as Uncle Sam cheers, Lady Liberty lights the way, and George Washington gets chatty! Let freedom (and fun) ring!
How To Download 4th of July Clothespin Puppets:
Before you can begin you need to download the 4th of July Clothespin Puppets Template. This download is available to all members for free! You heard me correctly, memberships are free to join for everyone who is 18 years an older! Click on the link to signup and to find the Template. You choose which one you want to download and print.
***These printables are intended for personal and school use exclusively. Unauthorized copying, uploading, republishing, distributing or alteration of these files in any manner is strictly prohibited. If you plan to showcase these printables, please ensure to include a link back to artsykidszone.com.
Our blog is bursting with fun and festive crafts perfect for celebrating the Fourth of July! Dive into the patriotic spirit with our adorable Uncle Sam Cootie Catchers, a craft that brings a touch of whimsy to the holiday. Kids will love creating and playing with these charming characters. For a more artistic project, try our Coffee Filter Eagles, where children can learn about this majestic bird while making a stunning decoration. And when the summer heat kicks in, cool off with our delicious Red, White & Blue Milkshakes. These vibrant treats are as fun to make as they are to drink. Explore these and many more creative projects to make your Fourth of July celebrations memorable and fun for the whole family!
The fun doesn’t stop here! At Artsy Kids Zone, we’ve got a whole barnyard (and beyond!) full of creative projects waiting to be explored. From playful paper crafts to interactive printables, there are hundreds of hands-on activities to keep little artists busy, learning, and laughing.
Whether your kiddo wants to craft a pirate puppet, make a hatching dragon egg, or try their hand at magical crayon resist art, we’ve got something to spark every imagination. Our projects are made with kids in mind—easy to prep, fun to make, and perfect for classrooms, rainy days, or weekend adventures at the kitchen table. So don’t be shy—dig in, get messy, and let your child’s creativity run wild at Artsy Kids Zone!
Comments