These old-fashioned puppets are fun to play with, but even more fun to make. Why not watch Pinocchio together first to introduce kids to the concept of puppeteering, and then get started with this entertaining activity.
Ages: 3-8
Location: Indoors
Skills: Art, Social/Emotional
What you'll need:
12 inch by 18 inch poster board
Rubber cement
Four 3 inch by 30 inch strips of construction paper
2 inch by 12 inch cardboard strip
Heavy-weight paper
Colored markers
Yarn
Construction paper or wallpaper
Hole punch
Young children may need help building this complex puppet, whereas older children will revel in the work it takes them to assemble their marionette.
Fold the poster board in half crosswise. Fold each half in half again toward the center crease. Overlap the two end flaps to form a triangular tube. Glue the end flaps together.
Cut a head with a long neck from heavy-weight paper. Draw a face on with markers and glue on yarn hair.
Glue the neck to the back inside of the body.
Pleat the four strips and glue onto the body as arms and legs.