On Appreciate a Dragon Day, we’re celebrating these legendary creatures with a cute and easy Dragon Bookmark Papercraft for Kids! Dragons often get a bad rap in old stories, usually depicted as grumpy monsters guarding gold or waiting to be defeated by a knight. But we’re moving past those tired stereotypes! In modern tales, princesses can rescue themselves, and dragons are often the most loyal, wise, and helpful friends a hero could have.
That’s exactly why we have Appreciate a Dragon Day on January 16th! It’s a day to recognize the magic and wonder these mythical beasts bring to literature and folklore. Whether they breathe fire, fly through the clouds, or guard enchanted libraries, dragons capture our imagination like no other creature.
If you’re diving into some dragon-themed reading to celebrate, you certainly need a bookmark to match! And if you ask us, the best kind of bookmark is one you make yourself. This dragon bookmark is a “corner bookmark,” meaning it sits right on the edge of your page to keep your place safe without falling out.
Fun Books to Pair with Your Dragon Bookmark
Before we start crafting, check out these wonderful books that feature dragons who are definitely worth appreciating:
- Dragons, Dragons by Eric Carle
- Little Wing Learns to Fly by Calista Brill
- Puff The Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton
- Pinkalicious: Dragon to the Rescue by Victoria Kann
- The Pet Dragon by Christoph Niemann
Reading these stories is the perfect way to spend an afternoon after you’ve finished your papercraft.
Why Papercrafts are Great for Young Readers
Engaging in papercrafts like this dragon bookmark helps children develop several key skills:
- Instruction Following: Learning to follow a sequence of steps is vital for cognitive development.
- Spatial Awareness: Folding paper to create a 3D pocket requires an understanding of how shapes fit together.
- Reading Motivation: Having a custom-made “friend” waiting for them in their book makes kids more excited to return to their reading.
Supply List: What You’ll Need
The best part about this project is that you likely have everything you need in your desk drawer!
- Colored Craft Paper: Bright green, fiery red, or even deep purple.
- White Cardstock: For the dragon’s sharp teeth.
- Construction Paper Scraps: For the ears, horns, and “fire.”
- Googly Eyes: (Optional, but they add so much personality!)
- Glue Stick: A simple school glue stick works best.
- Scissors: Kid-safe safety scissors.
- Black Marker: To draw on nostrils and details.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Folding Your Dragon
1. Create the Square Base
Start with a square piece of craft paper. If you only have rectangular A4 paper, fold one corner down to the opposite edge to form a triangle, and cut off the excess strip.
- Size Tip: A 6×6 inch (15×15 cm) square is the perfect size for most standard books.
2. The Initial Folds
- Fold your square in half diagonally to form a large triangle.
- Take the two bottom corners of the triangle and fold them up to meet the top point, creating a smaller diamond shape.
- Unfold those two corners so you are back to your large triangle.
3. Creating the Pocket
- Take the top layer of the triangle’s peak and fold it down to the center of the base line. You should now see a small “pocket” forming.
- Take the left corner and tuck it inside the pocket you just made.
- Do the same with the right corner. You now have a sturdy, square corner bookmark!
4. Designing the Dragon’s Face
Now for the fun part! Rotate the bookmark so the open pocket is facing down (this will be the dragon’s mouth).
- Horns and Ears: Cut two small triangles out of a contrasting color and glue them to the top of the bookmark.
- Eyes: Glue your googly eyes onto the front. If you don’t have googly eyes, draw two large white circles with black pupils.
- Nostrils: Use your black marker to draw two small dots near the bottom edge.
5. Adding the “Fire” and Teeth
What’s a dragon without its fire?
- Cut a strip of white paper with a “zigzag” edge to create sharp teeth. Glue this inside the top lip of the pocket.
- Cut small strips of red, orange, and yellow tissue paper. Glue these to the inside of the bottom pocket so they hang out like a flaming breath!
Creative Variations to Explore
Once you’ve mastered the basic dragon, why not try these “species” variations?
| Dragon Type | Suggested Colors | Extra Detail |
| Forest Dragon | Green & Gold | Add small paper leaves as scales. |
| Ice Dragon | Blue & Silver | Use silver glitter for “frosty” breath. |
| Night Fury | Black & Purple | Give it large, sleek wings on the sides. |
| Royal Dragon | Red & Yellow | Add a small paper crown between the horns. |
Tips for Parents and Teachers
Educational Moment: While making these, talk about the different cultures that feature dragons. For example, Chinese dragons are often seen as symbols of luck and power, while European dragons are often the guardians of treasure.
- Batch Crafting: If you are doing this for a classroom, pre-cut the squares to save time.
- Scale Texture: Instead of plain paper, let the kids use a green marker to draw “U” shapes all over the paper before folding to look like scales.
- Personalization: Encourage kids to name their dragons. Is it a “Book-Eater” or a “Story-Guardian”?
Troubleshooting Your Bookmark
- The Bookmark Falls Off: If the paper is too thin, the bookmark might slide. Try using a slightly heavier construction paper or a thin cardstock for the base.
- Glue is Messy: If the “teeth” keep falling off, let the glue dry for a full five minutes before trying to slide the bookmark onto a page.
- Too Small for the Book: For large picture books, increase your starting square to 8×8 inches.
Let the Reading Adventure Begin!
Now that your dragon is ready, it’s time to put it to work. Slip it over the corner of your current page and let it guard your place until your next reading session. These bookmarks also make fantastic gifts for friends and family who love to read.