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by Tiffany Capuano
When it comes to
puppets, children have an immense ability to
reach beyond their everyday worlds. No puppet is
too simple or too complex. For children who like
to make their own puppets, the possibilities are
as endless as their imaginations. Made with
socks, sticks, wooden spoons, paper bags, straws
or strings, puppetry has been around since
ancient times.
With thousands of professional puppeteers in
the world, many probably got their starts with
these easy-to-make puppets.
 Paper Bag Puppets
Supplies: paper lunch bag, markers
or crayons,
construction paper, yarn, scissors, glue.
Lay the lunch bag flat with folded bottom
facing up. The flap forms the mouth. Cut out a red tongue and glue inside the
flap, so it can be seen only when the puppet is
talking. Use yarn for hair and construction
paper for other features, like hats, ears or
arms. Draw eyes and other features using
markers, crayons or paint.
Daisy CD Sock Puppet
Supplies: paper plate, CD, glue,
large wiggle eyes,
two-inch pom-poms, felt or construction paper,
and an old green sock.
Cut around the edge of a paper plate to make
petal shapes.Glue the CD to the center of the paper plate.
Glue several pom-pom over the hole in the center
of the CD. Glue the wiggle eyes and use bits of
felt or paper to make a mouth.
Use lots of glue on the back of the flower and
gently press
the foot part of the sock onto the glue. Set aside to dry before using.
source:
www.familycrafts.about.com
At-Home Puppet Theater
Get a
large cardboard box,
cut out a window in the top half of the box.
This will accommodate two small children, or cut
doors into the back for easy access. Paint the
box and tape curtains to the inside of the box.
Easy! If using finger puppets, downsize your puppet
theater. Simply adjust the stage size by using a
cereal box instead.
Types of Puppets
Puppets
range from the easiest to create and use to the
more advanced marionettes used by professionals.
Pinocchio is just one of many, but here’s a list
of puppet types you and your child can create
and discover together:
- Finger
- Hand – with socks, paper bags,
gloves or sticks
- Papier-mâché
- Marionettes (all string)
- Rod
- Body
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Create-A-Puppet workshops offered
Wednesday through Sunday.