Puppet Activity

Egg Carton Puppets

You will need: egg carton, scissors, popsicle sticks, marking pens, pipe cleaners, pieces of cloth, paper, yarn, and cotton.

Cut out a cup from egg carton and paste on end of stick. Draw a body or article of clothing on paper or cloth and cut out. Paste on stick below cup. Decorate face any way you like (see illustration).

Paper Cup Puppet

You will need: 7-ounce paper cup, paper, 2 white paper towels, scissors, crayons or marking pens, and tape.

Cut a 1/2″ slit on each side of cup. Cut extra long arms from paper. Slide an arm into each slit and tape. The cup can be decorated as you wish.

Make a hole about the size of a dime in bottom of cup. Crumple one paper towel into a ball and wrap other paper towel around ball to form head. Twist ends into a point. Insert pointed end into hole and pull head down against cup, taping securely. Draw a face on the head.

Make a slit at the lower back edge of the cup. Insert a stick if necessary and secure it with tape.

Knitted Puppets

You will need: 3 or 4-ply wool yarn, size 12 knitting needles, needle and thread, embroidery floss, and marking pen.

Cast on 12 stitches and work 20 rows in garter stitch (plain knitting stitch on both sides) for body. Knit 7 rows in stocking stitch (alternate one row knit, one row purl). Do not cast off.

When finished, thread end of yarn into a long needle and pass through all stitches, slipping them off the needle at the same time. Pull up tightly and secure with a few stitches.

Match right sides together (center back) and sew up seam, leaving bottom open. Stuff head with cotton and run a stitch around neck. Pull tightly to gather in neck. Embroider or use a marking pen to make eyes, nose, and mouth.

Finger Puppets

You will need: pencil, piece of cloth, scissors, crayons or marking pens, paste, and needle and thread.

Trace puppet pattern on this page onto cloth and cut out. Sew body pattern along dotted lines and turn right side out. Paste the face pattern onto body on solid lines. Paste eyes, nose, bow, and belt on puppet.