Create Popsicle Stick Puppets!

Forget store-bought puppets. Invite your child to put on an original puppet show, with pizazz! Teach him how to make popsicle doll puppets! Your youngster will love creating his very own puppet troop to entertain friends and family. This entertaining activity encourages your child's fine motor skill-development as he cuts, pastes, and decorates his miniature figurines. As he puts together puppet performances, his creativity will flourish as his imagine goes to work!

What You Need:

• Popsicle sticks (large or small, plain or colored)
• Fabric scraps cut into squares and circles (these are best plain, as fabrics with patterns tend to make it hard to see the face once it is done)
• Filler or old fabrics for stuffing
• Small elastic bands
• Glue
• Wiggly eyes (available at your local craft store)
• String or wool
• Pipe cleaners
• Markers or fabric paint

What You Do:

1. Have your child cut a large circle of fabric that will make up the face and body.
2. Stuff the piece of fabric with filler or scraps.
3. Once it is full, place the popsicle stick inside and wrap the outside fabric around it.
4. Take an elastic and wrap one at the top, forming a head.
5. Take a second elastic and wrap lower down to form the body.
6. Help your child glue on hair with the string or yarn, as well as wiggly eyes. A nose and mouth can be drawn on with markers or fabric paint.
7. Pipe cleaner-arms and legs can be added by wrapping them at the back, through the elastic. The arms wrap at the top elastic and the legs can wrap around the lower elastic.
8. Let all the decorations dry, make sure the puppet is secure, and your child is ready to go!

After your little one has created a popsicle puppet troop, brainstorm different story lines with him. Invite friends and family over for the performance. He will love having the spotlight on his clever creativity!