Though the weather is still nice and toasty, summer break is winding down. But, before we send those kiddos back to school (or back to “distance learning” in many cases), I thought I’d share a fun paper craft for both adults and kids to enjoy. Spend a little time making these cute safari puzzle animals today!
After seeing people making really simple felt puzzle animals for their kids, and I thought it would be fun to make my own paper versions. As I designed these, I wanted them to have slightly more dimension than some of the felt ones I had seen: so that the animals are a little more recognizable.
When putting these together for this post, I chose to add a little hot glue to the cross sections so that they would hold up well when I photographed them; but, I’m going to make a second set for my kids to use that they can put together and take a part over and over again.
I had kids in mind when I crated these designs, but I had so much fun putting them together myself, that there really is no reason that adults can’t enjoy them. Once I had them assembled, I made my husband come in and look at them all because I just thought they were so dang cute!
I use Adobe Illustrator for all of my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other 3D freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy putting these safari puzzle animals together! If I create more sets like these, what kinds of animals would you like to see next?
*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.
Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 31 Comments on Safari Puzzle Animals – Kids Paper Craft
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Leanne McNicholas
August 12, 2020 at 7:18 am (4 years ago)Thank you soooo much for your free designs. I was trying to figure what to do with my grand kids this weekend and they will LOVE making the animals and the Doll House. They already love the paper lanterns. I appreciate you taking the time to make the designs.
Have a wonderful day!
Leanne
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 9:27 am (4 years ago)Yay! That makes me so happy!!
Have fun with the grandkids this weekend! 😊
Sandra
August 12, 2020 at 7:51 am (4 years ago)Thank you for your designs. I look forward to your posts. Each one is so exciting. How perfect are these for a birthday party.
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 9:28 am (4 years ago)Thank you Sandra! Yes, definitely!! These would be such a fun and simple addition to a safari-themed birthday party. 😊
Charlotte McGregor
August 12, 2020 at 8:25 am (4 years ago)Love these. Any type animal made like these would be great for kids. I make cards for hospitalized kids that are sent by an organization all over the US. I think adding an envelope containing one of theses would be great. Thank you so much for sharing ideas for free that others would probably sell instead os sharing.
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 9:29 am (4 years ago)That is very cool! What a great way to spread kindness and joy! I’m glad my designs can be a part of it. ❤️
דבורה כץ
August 12, 2020 at 9:17 am (4 years ago)Your designs are beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing.
Every post of yours is adorable and I’m waiting for it
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 9:29 am (4 years ago)Aww, thank you so much!! 😊
Terry Smith
August 12, 2020 at 9:17 am (4 years ago)Oh these are just too cute! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talents!
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 9:30 am (4 years ago)Thank you Terry! I’m so glad you like them!! 😊
Mary H
August 12, 2020 at 10:50 am (4 years ago)The animals ARE so danged cute! Thank you.
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 2:24 pm (4 years ago)Aww, thank you Mary!! 😊
Pam
August 12, 2020 at 11:00 am (4 years ago)Mandee, your work is incredible. I too look forward to your e-mails.
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 2:24 pm (4 years ago)Thank you so much Pam! That makes me very happy to hear!!
Kathy
August 12, 2020 at 1:47 pm (4 years ago)Amazingly clever! Your animals are cute in every way and so many opportunities to use them, gifts, table decorations, general entertainment, and on and on. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful designs.
Mandee
August 12, 2020 at 2:24 pm (4 years ago)Thank you so much Kathy! You are too sweet. ❤️
Ali van den Berge
August 13, 2020 at 1:30 am (4 years ago)Thank you Mandee for the lovely designs. The 3D doll house is fabilous and please continue making more:-).
Mandee
August 17, 2020 at 10:07 am (4 years ago)Thank you so much!! ❤️
U.L.
August 13, 2020 at 1:59 am (4 years ago)Wieder ganz toll die Tiere. Vielen Dank für´s teilen. Fantastisch wieviel Mühe sie sich immer machen.
Mandee
August 17, 2020 at 10:07 am (4 years ago)Thank you! I’m so glad you like my designs!!
Rowena Hunt
August 13, 2020 at 2:23 pm (4 years ago)We have just gone back into lock down and I would just love to say thank you for your awesome designs. Me and my two teens will be busy now!!!So many cute things to make.
Mandee
August 17, 2020 at 10:08 am (4 years ago)You are very welcome! Hopefully you can make some good memories together in these weird times. 🙂
designdreamer
August 14, 2020 at 9:20 pm (4 years ago)WOW!! You are the most GENEROUS person I’ve ever come across!!! Thank you so much!!! Very sweet also. I think I read you’re the oldest of 10? I’ve got you beat by one, and I’M in the middle, and also probably old enough to be your mother, but we still have that LARGE family think in common. Thanks again!
Mandee
August 17, 2020 at 10:16 am (4 years ago)Thank you so much! And it’s always awesome to meet someone else who comes from a big family. You and I were never without a friend growing up, that’s for sure! 😊
maman-cocci
September 17, 2020 at 9:33 am (4 years ago)C’est magnifique. Merci pour ce partage
Mandee
September 17, 2020 at 10:24 am (4 years ago)You are most welcome!
Lindsay
January 31, 2022 at 8:35 am (3 years ago)I love these! I’m making a few for a baby shower in a couple of weeks. I want to use hot glue to keep them together. How did you glue them without the glue looking bulky?
Thanks!
Mandee
January 31, 2022 at 10:44 am (3 years ago)Glad you like them! I use a fine tip glue gun, similar to this one and it keeps the glue from being too messy:
https://amzn.to/3IQMUiy
Darling Garcia
November 9, 2023 at 1:44 pm (10 months ago)What type of paper do you recommend for this craft? Thanks.
Mandee
November 16, 2023 at 2:31 pm (10 months ago)Any kind of carstock would likely be fine, but the thicker the paper the better. 🙂
Darling Garcia
November 16, 2023 at 2:46 pm (10 months ago)Thank you! I’m really looking forward to making this with my kids 🙂