Kids have wonderful imaginations that can be nurtured through inventive play, and puppets are excellent vehicles for a child's creative expression. It's very easy to make simple puppets using clip art, magazine photos, cutouts from coloring books, or photos you have taken. In this project, you will learn how to make simple stick puppets using clip art or photos.
This project requires few materials and little time to get started. It is great for family, classroom or group craft time.
For a more structured stick puppet project with a written play, try the Stick Puppets project.
For more puppet craft projects, many with plays, see Puppets Around the World.
Read through the project, then gather the materials needed for making the puppets. There are many sources of online clip art. Just search for the picture you want and include "clip art" or "illustration" at the end—like "running rabbit clip art" or "turtle illustration" or "tortoise and hare clip art".
Find an idea for your puppet play—perhaps think of a favorite story or character, and imagine how you might develop that into a play. Or, just make some puppets that seem interesting or fun and let the story flow from playing with them.
Print your clip art or photos in the size range of 4" to 7" (10 cm to 18 cm).
Print a picture that can be used as a backdrop for the play.
Cut out each puppet. If they have intricate details, just trim loosely around those details.
With the puppet face-down, tape a bamboo skewer to the back.
Make up names for your characters and practice speaking in different voices. Have fun with your puppets and your friends' puppets. Work together to make a play that can be performed for family and friends!
Tape a backdrop that you printed or colored to the wall and perform the play in front of it.
That's it! Now have some puppet
fun!