If you give a moose a muffin, he’s going to want some jam to go with it. And if you give a kid a squeeze bottle of paint? Well, you’re about to get one adorable, one-of-a-kind moose!
This paint splat moose craft pairs perfectly with Laura Numeroff’s classic picture book If You Give a Moose a Muffin. It’s messy in the best way, simple enough for little hands, and every single moose turns out different. That’s the magic of the fold-over squish technique. Kids squirt, fold, press, and peel, and a moose face appears like a surprise.
It’s a fantastic follow-up to story time at home, in the library, or in the classroom. And because we want this to be as easy as possible for you, there’s a free printable template for the antlers, snout, and head shape. Let’s get squishing!
GRAB THE “IF YOU GIVE A MOOSE A MUFFIN” BOOK VIA OUR AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK
Craft Supplies:
- White or kraft cardstock paper (if using white, grab some crayons too!)
- Any color cardstock paper for the paint splat (thicker paper holds up best)
- Tulip Slick Dimensional Fabric Paint in Brown
- Tulip Puff Paint in Metallic Gold
- Googly eyes (the bigger, the sillier!)
- Black marker
- Scissors
- Glue (a glue stick works for paper pieces; liquid glue or a glue dot is better for googly eyes)
- Free moose printable template – password is GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS2026
Directions:
- Print the free moose template. Cut out all the elements in the printout.
- Take a sheet of cardstock paper and fold it in half. Press a firm crease down the middle, then open it back up and lay it flat.
- Here’s the fun part! Have kids squeeze dots, squiggles, and blobs of brown paint onto one side of the fold, staying close to the crease. Then add a few drops of metallic gold paint right on top of and between the brown.
- Encourage kids to use a good amount of paint, but not a whole puddle. A cluster of blobs about the size of a child’s palm is plenty.
- Fold the clean side of the paper over the painted side. Now let kids press, pat, and smooth with their hands, working from the crease outward. This spreads the paint and blends the brown and gold into gorgeous marbled swirls.
- Slowly peel the paper open. Ta-da! A perfectly symmetrical paint splat appears. Every one looks a little different, and that’s what makes them special.
- Lay the paper flat and let it dry completely. Dimensional paint is thick, so plan on several hours or overnight for best results.
- Glue the brown oval snout onto the lower half of the moose’s face. Use a black marker to draw two nostrils and a big, happy smile. Follow that up by gluing on the antlers.
- Finally, glue two googly eyes above the snout. And there you have it: one muffin-loving moose, ready to say hello!
RELATED —> “M” is for Popsicle Stick Moose Craft
GRAB THE “IF YOU GIVE A MOOSE A MUFFIN” BOOK VIA OUR AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK
This paint splat moose is proof that a little paint and a good book can go a long way. It’s simple, joyful, and gives kids something to be proud of. Plus, it turns a favorite read-aloud into a memory they can hold in their hands.
Download your free moose printable template below, grab your paint, and get ready for a whole herd of happy moose. And if you make one, we’d love to see it! Share a photo and show off your little artist’s masterpiece. Happy crafting AND reading, my friends!
