If you’ve got a kiddo who loves animals and reading, this tiger corner bookmark is perfect. It’s a simple paper craft that turns a plain origami corner bookmark into a cute tiger friend that sits on the corner of the page and “guards” their spot. It’s great for zoo themes, animal study units, library time, or a rainy-day craft at home.
You can trace and cut the pieces on colored paper by using our printable template to make it even easier for younger kids.
Why You’ll Love This Tiger Corner Bookmark
- Simple supplies – just colored paper, glue, scissors, and a marker.
- Great for groups – easy enough for classrooms, church groups, or library craft time.
- Fine-motor practice – tracing, cutting, folding, and gluing in one project.
- Encourages reading – kids are excited to use a bookmark they made themselves.
Tiger Corner Bookmark Supplies
- Orange cardstock or construction paper (for head, tail, and bookmark base)
- White paper (for the tiger’s snout)
- Light pink paper (for inner ears)
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Craft glue or glue stick
- Black Sharpie or marker
- Printable tiger template
How to Make a Tiger Corner Bookmark
You’ll make the tiger’s face and tail first, then fold the corner bookmark, and finally glue everything together.
1. Prepare the Tiger Pieces
- Cut out the template pieces:
- Tiger head
- Tail
- White mouth/snout
- Two small pink inner-ear pieces
- Glue the face details.
- Glue the white snout near the bottom middle of the orange head.
- Glue the pink inner-ear pieces on top of the ears.
- Draw the tiger’s face.
- Use the black marker to add eyes, nose, and a mouth on the snout.
- Add a few stripes on the forehead and cheeks to make it look like a tiger.
Set the head and tail aside while you fold the corner bookmark.
2. Fold the Corner Bookmark Base
- Start with a square.
Cut an orange square from construction paper. Any size works, but 6″ x 6″ is a good starting size for kids. - Fold into a triangle.
Fold the square diagonally in half to make a triangle, with the long edge at the bottom. - Fold the side corners up.
Take the right corner and fold it up so the point meets the top center point. Repeat with the left corner. Now you have a diamond shape. - Unfold the last two folds.
Open those side flaps back out so you’re back to a triangle with two crease lines. - Fold down the top layer.
Take the top point of the triangle (only the top layer) and fold it down to the middle of the bottom edge to form a pocket. - Tuck in the side flaps.
Fold the right flap up again and tuck the tip inside the pocket you just made. Repeat with the left flap. Now you have a neat corner pocket bookmark. - Round the open corners (optional).
Trim the two outer corners of the bookmark into a gentle curve to soften the “face” shape for your tiger’s body.
3. Assemble Your Tiger Corner Bookmark
- Attach the tail.
Glue the tail piece to one of the open sides of the bookmark body so it sticks out from the corner. - Add the head.
Turn the bookmark so the pocket opening points down.
Glue the tiger head along the top inner corner of the pocket, so the head sits above the body, and the pocket still slides over a book page. - Draw the tiger stripes on the body.
Use your black marker to add stripes along the orange bookmark base to complete the tiger’s body.
Let everything dry, then slip the pocket over the corner of a book page. Your paper tiger will peek over the top of the book and keep your place!
Tips for Making This Craft with Kids
- Pre-cut for little hands. For preschoolers and kindergarteners, pre-cut the head, ears, and tail so they can focus on gluing and drawing the face.
- Turn it into a reading reward. Let kids make a tiger bookmark when they finish a certain number of books or reading minutes.
- Mix up the colors. Try white tigers, rainbow tigers, or use glitter paper for extra fun.
- Label the back. Kids can write their name and the date on the back so it becomes a little keepsake from your reading unit or craft day.
More Fun Crafts to Try Next
When your kids fall in love with this tiger corner bookmark, it’s the perfect time to keep the creative streak going. Mix and match a few more simple animal crafts to turn it into a full zoo-themed craft day or a fun follow-up to story time. Try pairing this project with:
- More Corner Bookmarks – let kids design any other favorite animals to build a whole wild bookmark collection.
Frog Paper Craft – a big, silly frog face that’s great for practicing cutting and gluing. - Penguin Paper Craft – a cozy winter friend kids can dress up with hats and scarves.
- Pufferfish Paper Craft – a spiky, under-the-sea pal that’s full of personality.
Share Your Tiger Corner Bookmark
If you make this tiger corner bookmark, we’d love to see it!
Snap a picture and tag @frostingandglue on Instagram so we can cheer on your creative kids and share their projects with our community. And don’t forget to pin this craft so you can find it again next time you need a quick, low-prep activity.
Download Your Tiger Corner Bookmark Template
Ready to make your own little tiger? Grab the tiger corner bookmark template below.
Print it on regular paper or cardstock, cut out the pieces, and follow the step-by-step photos in this post to assemble your tiger. It’s an easy prep activity for teachers, homeschoolers, or a quick after-school craft.
Please note: This template is for personal and classroom use only. If a friend wants it too, send them the link to this post so they can download their own copy. Thanks for supporting our small business!
