Fun to make! A collection of simple handmade doll ideas using a variety of materials
Do you all have dolls?
When we were little, we used them for make-believe play, changed their clothes, and some people carried them everywhere—when going out or even when sleeping—and still treasure them to this day.
This time, we’ve gathered ideas for making such dolls by hand.
Many of these dolls can be made from recycled materials like cans and cartons, and most of the supplies can be found at 100-yen shops.
So find a doll you like, make it, and have fun playing with it!
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Fun to make! A collection of easy handmade doll ideas using various materials (21–30)
Mario Puppet
The felt “Mario Puppet” is a DIY idea that uses a popular character loved in preschools and kindergartens.
Using red and blue felt, you can recreate Mario’s hat and overalls, and easily finish by gluing on parts like the mustache.
While making it, you and the children can naturally communicate by choosing colors and deciding where to place each piece, creating fun memories.
Once completed, it’s great for pretend play and can help foster creativity and expressive skills.
It’s a puppet with the unique warmth that only handmade crafts can offer.
Paper bag puppet
“Paper bag puppets” are a handmade craft idea that children can enjoy at daycare and kindergarten.
Using familiar materials like paper bags, construction paper, origami paper, and yarn, it requires no special tools, making it easy for anyone to try.
Children can create freely by sticking papers of their favorite colors and patterns onto the bag or adding yarn as hair accessories, which naturally fosters their imagination and expressive skills.
The making process itself is play, and after completion the puppets shine in pretend play and puppet shows, so they can be enjoyed for a long time.
It’s a perfect craft idea for both early childhood settings and activities at home.
Fun to make! A collection of easy handmade doll ideas using various materials (31–40)
bear puppet
Make it with fleece! Here are some ideas for a bear hand puppet.
Fleece is a great fabric for beginners because it doesn’t fray easily even when the edges are cut, making it easy to sew.
It’s also a good idea to repurpose fleece you no longer wear.
Give it a try! Once your bear puppet is finished, use it to perform fingerplays, nursery rhymes, or folktales featuring bears—it’s sure to capture children’s interest.
It could also be fun to adapt the design to motifs other than a bear.
Puppet made with felt
Have fun with design! Here are some felt puppet ideas.
When you decide to make a puppet, you might find yourself wondering what motif to choose.
For those people, here are ideas for original human-themed puppets! First, try sketching your puppet design as an illustration.
By incorporating features that resemble yourself or paying special attention to the hairstyle, you can express a sense of originality.
A great perk of using felt is that it makes thread finishing simple and easy.
Puppet made from a yoga mat
Impactful puppets! Here are ideas for making puppets using yoga mats.
This is a great idea for anyone who wants to create a large-sized puppet! The key is to insert pieces of cut yoga mat inside the puppet so the parts hold their shape, stand on their own, and feel sturdy.
For the exterior, it’s best to use soft materials like felt.
Children might even feel like they’ve made a new friend.
Give it a try!
Paper Cup Frog Puppet
Easy to make! Here’s an idea for a paper cup frog puppet.
Paper cups are familiar items often used in preschools and at home, right? This time, let’s make a frog puppet using a paper cup.
You’ll need a paper cup, a pen, glue or adhesive, round stickers, and scissors.
If you want to be particular about the cup’s color, you can attach construction paper or origami paper to the cup.
By getting creative with how you draw the facial expression, you can make frogs that look different even with the same basic method.
A puppet made of cotton work gloves and paper clay
Unique puppets! Here are some ideas for puppets made with work gloves and paper clay.
When you hear “puppet,” many people probably picture something made of fabric, right? This time, let’s make a work-glove puppet using paper clay.
You’ll need lightweight paper clay, work gloves, a sculpting spatula, scissors, cardboard, duct tape, and paint.
Compared to puppets made only from fabric, these have more three-dimensionality and impact, so they’re likely to shine in puppet shows and events.
It’s the perfect idea for anyone looking to create a unique puppet!