Puppets are so fun. They are almost magical in the way they come to life in a child's hands. They create endless opportunities for creativity and imagination. They are also another way to incorporate storytelling and the use of verse. We created these puppets, which were just as fun to make as they are to use.
To make the puppet, I purchased a dowel from the craft store and cut it down. The puppet's head is made from Crayola Model Magic. To make the head we rolled and shaped it and added features like eyes and nose. I then inserted the dowel deep into the clay. We let it dry for 2 days until it felt firm. We then used our markers to add color and decorate. The cloth was tied around the dowel using ribbon or yarn.
To hold the puppets, I cut down a stick from outside and drilled some holes. We are really enjoying the puppets. We use play silks for backdrops and rocks or shells and blocks for scenery. I am working on my puppetry skills, particularly my inability to come up with short stories! I can never think of any. I try to remember to keep it simple and seasonal. I am on the lookout for inspiration in this area.
8 comments:
these are so sweet! been thinking of making some puppets lately--thanks for the inspiration!
I am going to post a link to your stick puppets in my post tomorrow because it goes nicely with my discussion on stick puppet stages! I love these!
I used to love making puppets when I was a kid too.
these are wonderful. An idea for creating spontaneous stories: there really aren't many new plots under the sun. Read the brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and some modern classics, like Maurice Sendak's books or Madeleine, and then mix it up! What if Max (from Where the Wild Things) was tied to the Snow Queen's sled?! Base your combination on the characters at hand!
another great idea! where do you come up with these? i guess iam creative-challenged. can you recommend a book or a resource for ideas?
I got a book at our library with puppet stories. I used it to give me some ideas of stories and how they made short ones, and then have just come up with my own.
Andie
Thanks for those ideas. We do have Brothers Grimm so I will look through that and I will check out the library too.
cute puppets. this reminds me of a project my once 2 1/2 yr old daughter (now 8) and i made. it was a doll from a wooden spoon. she proudly carried it with her everywhere for a week. when her g-parents saw her with her new doll they asked her what it was, and she replied "it's my panking poon" (her spanking spoon). that doll never left the house again! :-)
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