Crafting with Little Kids: Simple Puppets

Role playing with puppets is a great activity for little kids, especially on a rainy day. This project creates very simple "stick" puppets using recycled items in your home. Almost any shape puppet can be created, and a Google search could even reveal basic designs that you can print at home to use as a guide to trace. For fall, a pumpkin shape could even be made to have a pumpkin puppet show. *See the list below for some websites with outlines that can be printed.

Materials:

wood ice pop sticks

scotch tape

heavy weight paper or cardboard (use the inside of a cereal box)

markers, crayons, pencils

glitter, scraps of paper, feathers, ribbons

glue

scissors

Directions:

Decide on the shape of your puppet(s) and trace the outline onto paper or cardboard. We used a seahorse shape that we traced and then did a freehand drawing of an octopus. Carefully cut out the shape (or the adult helper can do the cutting.) Using your art supplies, decorate the shapes. We used crayons and scraps of shiny paper and glue. This is where kids can be very creative and add feathers, ribbons, glitter, etc. (Older kids can use buttons, sequins, stick-on eyes, etc.) If using glue, let the project dry before moving to the next step.

Once the design and artwork on the puppet is complete, flip it over and tape a wooden ice pop stick onto it, taping in at least two spots for support. The stick can be glued on, but then you will need to wait a while for it to dry.

Your puppet is ready for it's first performance! Or, make it a friend!

*Resources:

Animal Coloring Pages

Alfy.com arts and crafts

National Geographic Coloring Book

ABC teach farm themes

You can find more craft ideas and other preschool adventures on Diane's blog Knitting Zeal.