Puppet Making: Craft Ideas for Kids
Psychological studies show that creating crafts can promote better mental and physical learning for children. Nowadays, most preparatory schools integrate craft activities in their curriculum.
There are wide arrays of craft activities which you and your child can undertake, one easy and fun craft idea for kids is puppet making. Your child can carry out simple puppets with the following craft ideas:
Paper Finger Puppets
Let your child know the different names of his fingers through the paper finger puppets. The materials you will need to complete this project is a firm and thick paper such as construction paper, then you will need a pair of scissors, and crayons.
You can help your child draw a finger puppet template or you may opt to print out a ready-made template through the internet. Make sure to use thick and firm paper. After you’re done with the template, cut out the finger puppet ensuring to make holes so it can be inserted into your fingers.
To make you finger puppet attractive, you can suggest to your child that he draw eyes, nose and mouth on it. Hair can also be added with the use of yarn.
Paper Frog Puppet
Kids love frogs. Some kids imitate the sound it resonates. Others mimic the way it hops. To start with this project, prepare firm red and green papers, a pair of scissors, paste, and crayons.
Help your child fold the green paper into three. You will know if you have done it right if you come up with a long rectangle. Once done, fold the rectangular paper into four. You will see a “W” pattern which symbolizes the frog.
Frogs have eyes. With the use of crayon or marker, draw the frog’s eyes. You may also choose to paste googly eyes.
Like humans, frogs have a tongue too. The red paper will be the frog’s tongue. You need to cut the red paper into a tongue-like shape. Commonly, a frog has a long tongue hence make sure that you cut the tongue long. Once done, paste the tongue at the tip of the frog’s mouth.
Instruct your child to insert his thumb in the lower jaw and the other finger in the frog’s upper jaw so he will be able to play with the puppet frog.
Cat Paper Bag Puppet
If you do not have a cat in your home and your child desires for one, you may temporarily relieve his yearning for a cat with a “cat paper bag puppet.”
What you need to make a puppet cat is a paper bag, leftover construction papers, pair of scissors, paste, and crayons.
Direct your child to fold both edges of the paper bag. By doing so, your child can create the cat’s snout.
Leftover construction papers will be used to make the cat’s eyes, ears, nose, paws and whiskers. Once you’re done, paste each part to the cat’s face.
Puppet-making promotes your child to make use of his fingers. It also encourages him to narrate stories out of his thoughts as he makes the puppet act. Furthermore, puppet-making opens an artistic and theatrical world for your child.
At an early age, you need to expose and encourage your child to make crafts. It does not simply stimulate learning; it will also teach him to cultivate his creativity. Moreover, making crafts is a good time to bond with your kids.
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