How To Make Wooden Puppets

Have your children put on a puppet show with puppets that they created and designed themselves! What could be more entertaining than watching your children design a puppet show from start to finish?

There are several materials that you will need before you begin to assemble your puppets. Below we listed several items to have handy before you begin.

1. Fabric to cover the head
2. Craft eyes
3. Yarn for hair
4. Felt for clothing
5. Foam balls (for the head)
6. Large wooden dowel rod

Before you begin make sure that you have a large enough work space for you and your children. Also make sure you are working in an area that can get messy. Try working outside if the weather is nice or work in a garage if you are weary of making a mess.

The first step is to place the dowel rod inside of the middle of the foam ball. This will be the head and body of your puppet.

Next, take another dowel rod, not as long as the one used for the body and place it horizontally about 5 inches below the foam ball- this will be the arms of your puppet. Glue it in place and secure it by tying it with string.

The next step is to cut some felt in the shape of a shirt, make two of these identical and glue them together around the body of the puppet. You can also make some mittens out of felt and slip them over the hands of the puppet. The arms are stationary so if you want the arms to move, do not use the dowel rod and use a string instead. The children can pull the strings downward together to cause some movement in the arms.

Cover the head of the pupped with neutral colored fabric. Pull tightly and tuck into the felt shirt. You can also cover the foam ball with clay if you want a to make skin that is more form fitting. Next you can attach the eyes, and a mouth. Let your children decide what they want the face of their puppet to look like, this will be the most fun for them. Attach some yarn for the hair, felt for a smile, and some craft eyes.

Once your child has finished their puppet, have them cover two chairs with a blanket and hide behind them. This will be their stage and they can have fun giving their puppets whatever personality they choose.

Your children will enjoy playing and making their puppets come to life! Picture your child spending more time using their imagination than watching television. This simple craft will have them entertained for hours!

This project works best with children between the ages of 5 and 10. The steps to creating their puppet are not too difficult for older children and would be most enjoyed by children a little older.

For more ideas on how to keep your children entertained, there are plenty of craft ideas out there suitable for all ages.