Fun Alligator Books to Pair with Your Craft

Before you start cutting and gluing, set the mood with one of these hilarious alligator-themed books:

If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! by Elise Parsley – A cautionary tale about the chaos of bringing a gator for Show and Tell.
There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer – A classic story about a boy who has to manage a scaly roommate.
See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood – A fun, rhythmic story perfect for younger readers.
Zack’s Alligator Goes to School by Shirley Mozelle – Follow the adventures of a boy and his small (but growing!) pet gator.

Contents

Amazing Alligator Bookmark: Step-by-Step Tutorial

This craft is designed for kids to practice their fine motor skills through tracing, cutting, and layered gluing.

Supplies Needed:

Colored Craft Paper: Two shades of green (light and dark), cream or yellow (for the belly), and white (for the eyes/teeth).
Pencil & Scissors: For tracing and cutting out the template.
Craft Glue: A glue stick or liquid glue works fine.
Black Marker: To draw those expressive eyes and a cheeky smile.

Instructions:

Trace and Cut: Using an alligator template (or freehand drawing), trace the body base, four limbs, and several small triangles for the “scutes” or scales. Use a lighter green for the body and a darker green for the scales to give it a realistic look.
Add the Belly: Cut a long, slender oval out of cream or light yellow paper. Glue this to the center of the alligator’s body. This provides a nice color contrast.
Attach the Limbs: Glue the four green limbs to the underside of the body. Make sure the “claws” point outward so it looks like your alligator is ready to crawl across the page.
Create the Face: Cut two small white circles for the eyes. Use your black marker to draw pupils. Alligators have a wide, flat snout—draw a large “U” shape for the mouth and two small dots for nostrils.
The “Snappy” Teeth: Cut tiny white triangles out of your white paper scraps. Glue them along the mouth line. Even a “friendly” bookmark needs a few sharp-looking teeth!
Scale it Up: Glue the dark green scales along the back and tail of the alligator. These little triangles give the craft the bumpy texture alligators are known for.
Finish the Bookmark: Once the glue is dry, your alligator is ready to “chomp” onto your page! The long, flat body allows it to sit perfectly between the pages of your favorite book.

Fascinating Gator Facts for Kids

While the glue dries, share these “did-you-know” facts with your young crafters to make it an educational experience:

Ancient Reptiles: Alligators have been around for about 37 million years! They lived alongside some of the last dinosaurs.
Tooth Factory: An alligator can go through 3,000 teeth in its lifetime. If they lose a tooth, another one grows right back in its place.
Speedy Sprinters: They might look slow on land, but alligators can run up to 35 mph for short bursts. That’s faster than most humans!
Glowing Eyes: If you shine a flashlight on an alligator at night, its eyes will glow red because of a special structure that helps them see in the dark.
Saltwater Secrets: Unlike their cousin the crocodile, alligators prefer freshwater like swamps, lakes, and rivers. They can’t handle saltwater for very long.

Comparison: Alligator vs. Crocodile

One of the most common questions kids ask is: “What’s the difference?” Use this table to help them distinguish between the two:

Feature	Alligator	Crocodile
Snout Shape	Broad, U-shaped (like a shovel)	Pointy, V-shaped
Teeth	Bottom teeth hide when mouth is closed	Bottom teeth stick out when mouth is closed
Habitat	Primarily freshwater	Brackish or saltwater
Color	Darker (grey/black/dark green)	Lighter (tan/olive green)

Why Papercrafting Matters

Crafting projects like this alligator bookmark are more than just a way to pass the time. They are essential for:

Fine Motor Development: Cutting small teeth and scales helps strengthen the muscles in a child’s hand.
Literacy Engagement: Creating a character from a book encourages kids to want to read more.
STEM Learning: Discussing anatomy (scales, snouts, webbed feet) introduces early biology.

This Alligator Bookmark Papercraft is a “snappy” way to celebrate National Alligator Day on May 29th. Whether it’s for a school project or a quiet afternoon at home, this little green friend will ensure you never lose your place in a story again.