45 Fun and Easy DIY Puppets for Kids
These DIY Puppets for Kids are just what you need to keep the little ones occupied for an entire weekend and put up their own little show!
When we think of entertainment these days, we think of web series and movies. Before that, we had TV shows and cinemas, and before that there was the theater and opera. However, if you go way back in time, all the way to 3000 B.C., you’ll find something else – puppets!
Yes, puppetry (the art of manipulating puppets in a performance) originated a really long time ago, and it’s an important part of many world cultures. For many of us, it may seem like a fun toy, but in many countries, puppets have deep symbolism.
Puppets Around the World
Nearly every country seems to have some form of ancient puppetry, and some of these have become quite famous. Take Punch and Judy from Britain, for example. Others are the Bunraku puppets from Japan, Budaixi puppets from Taiwan, Kkoktugakshi puppets from Korea, Wayang puppets from Indonesia, Higantes puppets from the Philippines, the Kathputhlis from Rajasthan, India, and many, many more!
Suffice to say that there are many different kinds of puppets out there, and there are many ways of manipulating them. You can connect them to strings or rods, or have them open up so you can place a hand or finger inside. Since 21st March is World Puppetry Day, we thought it would be the perfect time to put up our own puppet show – made with our own DIY puppets for kids!
45 Fun and Easy DIY Puppets for Kids
1. Paper Clown Puppet
What’s one person who always brings joy to children’s parties? A clown, of course! And now, you don’t even have to hire a real clown – just make this paper clown puppet!
2. Papercraft Uncle Sam Puppet
You can’t ignore Uncle Sam, and this Uncle Sam puppet is a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July or Uncle Sam Day. Make it along with our Uncle Sam and Bald Eagle Handprint Craft.
3. Printable Farm Animal Puppets
This set of farm animal puppets is perfect for little kids who are just starting to learn about animals, both domestic and wild. They’ll love playing with the puppets and moving them to the tune of Ol’ McDonald’s!
4. Woodland Animals Mini Puppet Craft
How cute are these little woodland animal puppets? With five different creatures, you can create multiple storylines and keep your characters busy!
5. DC Superhero Paper Puppets
Marvel may be releasing some big budget flicks, but that doesn’t have to stop you from putting on your own DC superhero puppet show – with Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Robin!
6. Super Dad Puppet Craft
Speaking of superheroes, how can we forget the biggest superhero in our lives – Dad! This Father’s Day or on Dad’s birthday, put up a special puppet show for him featuring his puppet version!
7. Gingerbread Cookie Puppets
Ideally, you would have a puppet show for every holiday, and if that’s your plan, you should also have an appropriate set of DIY puppets for kids for every occasion. To begin with, make sure you have these gingerbread puppets so you’re all set for Christmas!
8. Dog and Frog Hand Puppets
We love the simplicity of these dog and frog hand puppets, which are really easy to make from paper, and look quite impressive too! You can use the same template and try out some other animals too.
9. Olaf Puppet Papercraft
If you’re a parent with kids under 12, you must have dealt with a Frozen fan phase at some point! Re-watch the endearing movie with your kids, and don’t forget to make this Olaf puppet to play with!
10. Papercraft Insect Puppets
Spring is here, and we’re soon going to see lots of new flowers, baby animals and of course, bugs! Some bugs may be creepy and crawly, but not our adorable insect puppets!
11. DIY Red Riding Hood Puppets Set
You know the story; now you can create a show based on it! This set features Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, and you can create some hilarious parodies of the original version!
12. DIY Halloween Character Puppets
We showed you a set of gingerbread puppets that you could use to put up a puppet show at Christmas, and now we bring you a Halloween version, featuring a ghost, vampire, bat, witch and of course, her cat!
13. Popsicle Stick Easter Puppets
So Christmas and Halloween have been covered, so what’s left to include in this list of DIY puppets for kids? Oh yes, Easter! Here is a cute little set of Easter puppets, including the Easter bunny, a yellow chick and a sheep.
14. Christmas Split Pin Puppets
Thinking of putting up a special show this holiday season? Well, we’ve got just what you need! These split pin puppets make sure your characters have enough mobility to act out their roles!
15. 4th of July Gnomes Puppet
The 4th of July often has many programs planned, but this year, you can plan your own – a puppet show with DIY puppets for kids! These little gnomes can help act out important characters, and they’re already dressed for the purpose!
16. DIY Ganesha Puppet Craft
During the Indian festival of Ganesh Chathurthi, the immersion of the Ganesha idols are the main event, but this time we suggest adding something new – a puppet show featuring this beautiful Ganesha puppet!
17. Dog Marionette Puppet
A marionette is a puppet connected to strings and controlled from above, and is a little different from the others we’ve featured in this list of DIY puppets for kids. Easy Peasy and Fun shows us how to make a dog marionette – it’s easier than it looks!
18. Paper Plate Frog Puppet
How do you make a puppet out of a paper plate? Well, The Craft Train shows us it’s really easy to do, and gives us the instructions to make a paper plate frog puppet!
19. Dogs Clothespin Puppets
If you love dogs, you’ll love these dog puppets from Easy Peasy and Fun! With the clothespins, you have the freedom to make your dogs bark, welp or simply pant in happiness!
20. Wiggly Jiggly Pipe Cleaner Puppets
Let’s put those fingers to use with these pipe cleaner finger puppets from Mas and Pas! These are easy to make, and all you need are basic craft supplies!
21-45. DIY Paper Bag Puppets for Pretend Play
Something that we use to bring in groceries or pack our lunches can be turned into a princess, an animal, an alien or anything else – by making paper bag puppets! These DIY Paper Bag Puppets will ensure that kids will never run out of ideas to have fun!
We hope this list of DIY puppets for kids have offered you enough variety to put up a puppet show, whatever theme you may in the mood for. Or you could be bold and mix up different worlds, so that the Tin Man and Batman get together with the Cat in the Hat to rescue the dinosaur trapped in the haunted house!
Responses