Looking for a little Disney inspired fun at home? Check out these 20 awesome DIY Beauty and the Beast crafts, recipes and activities for the kids to enjoy.
In 2017, the story and characters Disney fans know and love came to life in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast”. Based on the 1991 Disney classic animated film “Beauty and the Beast,” the screenplay features an unprecedented all-star cast, including: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, and many more.
A Tale as Old as Time
Once upon a time, there was a handsome young Prince who lived in a large, magnificent castle. He had extravagant parties and was pampered by a staff of servants who attended to his every whim. Unfortunately, the Prince soon become self-absorbed and narcissistic.
When an old beggar woman comes to the castle seeking shelter from the storm in exchange for a single rose, he callously turns her away. Turns out she is a powerful enchantress and to punish him for his cruelty, she places a curse on the castle.
The curse transforms him into a Beast and every one of the castle’s inhabitants into household objects. In order to reverse the spell, he must learn to love another and be worthy of their love in return as a terrible beast.
If this does not happen before the last petal of the enchanted rose falls, he will remain a beast with his staff as household objects, imprisoned in the castle forever.
Some years later in the small town of Villeneuve, we meet Belle who lives with her father, Maurice. She is fiercely independent and loves to read.
Belle dreams of adventure and romance in a world far beyond the confines of her French village. The town’s residents are set in their ways and to them, she is a bit odd for being unsatisfied with her dull life.
She constantly rejects the aggressive advances of the arrogant town beau, Gaston. Even though he has every eligible woman in town wrapped around his finger, Gaston is smitten with Belle.
One day, Maurice heads to the market and is attacked by wolves. After becoming lost in the woods, he stumbles upon the Beast’s castle, now darkened and iced over. The staff secretly allow him in to take refuge, but when the Beast finds out, he gets very mad and and takes him prisoner for trespassing.
When Belle learns of her father’s disappearance, she sets off in search of him. She comes face to face with the Beast, and begs for her father’s release. He refuses but she eventually trades her own freedom for her father’s.
While locked away in the castle, Belle hears the friendly voices of the enchanted household objects. She meets and makes friends with the castle’s staff: Lumière (a candelabra); Cogsworth (a mantel clock); Mrs. Potts (a teapot); Madame de Garderobe (a wardrobe); Plumette (a feather duster); and Maestro Cadenza (a harpsichord).
Hopeful that Belle may be the one to capture the love and heart of the Beast, they watch and wait for any signs of true love. But the Beast is mean and ill-mannered and has come to accept his fate.
Even though romance appears to be out of the question, Belle has a loving nature and the ability to see what other people cannot. She begins to sense the kind heart of the Prince inside the beastly exterior. She finds that the Beast can be generous, sharing his library with her. He can also be chivalrous, placing his life in danger to protect her. And then there’s the fact that he makes her laugh.
When Belle is courageous and compassionate while nursing the Beast’s wounds when he is injured on her behalf, they begin to form a bond. Together, they find a shared love of books. Belle inspires him to become a better person, and he slowly begins to come back to life.
Get an inside look at Disney’s 2017 Beauty and the Beast
- Beauty and the Beast: ‘A Tale as Old as Time’ is New Again
- Beauty and the Beast: Shedding Some Candlelight
To help celebrate the release of the new movie, here are some recipes and crafts to do with your children to bring out their creative side and inner princess or beast.
Belle Pumpkin Idea
What a creative way to decorate a Beauty and the Beast inspired pumpkin from Disney Rewards. They have step by step instructions and there isn’t any cutting involved!
Beauty and the Beast Coloring Pages
If your kids love to color, here are lots of printable Beauty and the Beast coloring pages.
Little Princess Belle Costume
This DIY Princess Belle Dress Up costume from Ruffles and Rain Boots is so stinking cute and quick to make using just a few supplies. They have made many dress up costumes and share their proven beginner sewing tutorials that will walk you through making your own, step-by-step.
Belle’s Crown
Every Princess needs a crown, make your very own crown in Belle style with the felt princess crown templates from Cutesy Crafts. You’ll find a free downloadable template to use, but feel free to add your own Belle touches.
Belle’s Valentine Bookmarks
These are one of my favorites and I can’t wait to make these with my daughter! Make beautiful Belle Valentine bookmarks with your princess for marking your place at storytime. The long stem roses made from pipe cleaners tuck neatly instead your books and are fun to make, pretty to look at.
You’ll need: Heart template, scrapbook paper (pink or red with patterns works nicely), glue dots, green pipe cleaners, ribbon. Follow the step-by-step paper rose bookmark instructions at My Kid Craft.
Lumière’s Flickering Hearts Valentine
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast! What better way to share a Valentine than with a handmade one showcasing the hopeless romantic Lumiere and your child’s fingerprints?
You’ll need template for Lumière’s Flickering Hearts Valentine, scissors , craft or scrapbook paper (white and golden yellow), glue stick, 8.5- by 11-inch sheet of cardstock folded in half for the card, fine-tipped marker, heart stickers or red finger paint.
I think the finger paint and using fingerprints gives it a cute and personal touch that makes it a keepsake.
Paper Craft Box
Joshua Wolf (theflyingdachshund) on Deviantart.com has made these really cool printable paper crafts to make your own boxes from the characters. Features Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts and Chip. Print this on heavier cardstock paper for the best result.
Cogsworth Cupcakes
Has all of this crafting made you hungry? Just writing about it has made me want a snack. How about making some Cogsworth cupcakes? My friend Vera made these and they are cute, almost too cute to eat! Ingredients and directions can be found on Lady and the Blog.
Strawberry Rose Shortcake
We love this simple 4 ingredient Strawberry Rose Shortcake Recipe from Magical Recipes. You’ll need: a shortcake dessert shell, Whipped cream, 2 large strawberries, a mint leaf.
Beauty and the Beast Candy Rose Cupcakes
Beautiful flowers that won’t die on these Beauty and the Beast Candy Rose Cupcakes. What you’ll need: cherry or strawberry fruit roll-ups, green apple fruit candy and frosted mini cupcakes. Step by step directions by MomEndeavors.
Mrs. Potts Cake Pops
These Mrs. Potts cake pops from Bakerella would be great for a Beauty and the Beast birthday party or even a fun afternoon snack while watching the movie with friends.
I’d love to see your creations. If you make any of these recipes or crafts please come back and leave us a comment with any suggestions or tips!
OMGosh!!! TY TY TY for posting this. One of my nieces is a Princess FREAK. Yes…everything is princess right now and to add to that, she LOVES to bake with Grandma and as if that wasn’t enough, she’s a budding artist. If I didn’t know better I’d swear you wrote this with her picture in front of her. I’ll be sending this to my mom as well as keeping it bookmarked here for when she comes to visit me. Thank you for all the new ideas. I can’t wait to get started.
Excellent collection of crafts and activities. Thank you!!