Fun for daycare and kindergartens! A collection of DIY puppet ideas
Curious preschool and kindergarten children who love to play and learn.
They’re also at a stage where they’re attracted to colorful things and fun shapes.
They’re very interested in things that move, too.
So here, we’re introducing handmade puppet dolls.
We’ve gathered a variety of fun and cute puppets that will capture children’s hearts.
Many of them are easy to make, making them perfect for communicating with children during the crafting process.
By creating their favorite animals or characters together, you’ll make even more memories.
Make some fun puppets and enjoy playtime with the kids!
Fun for daycare and kindergarten! A collection of handmade puppet ideas (1–10)
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!
Colored construction paper puppet
Make it by crumpling and creasing! Here are some ideas for colored construction paper puppets.
These ideas are perfect if you want to use puppets in tomorrow’s activity or make them easily.
You’ll need colored construction paper for the body, colored paper for the facial parts, glue or double-sided tape, and scissors.
The key step is to soften the body paper by adding creases horizontally and vertically and by gently rolling it.
It also seems fun to make them together with the kids.
Give it a try!
sock puppet
Make the most of socks! Here are ideas for sock puppets.
When you’re making puppets, it’s nice if they’re easy to put together, right? This time, let’s try making puppets using socks, which are easy to source and come in a wide range of colors.
What you’ll need: socks, stuffing, thick paper/cardstock, a pen, fabric double-sided tape or glue, felt, eye parts, scissors, and more.
Try creating sock puppets in your favorite motifs—like snakes, dogs, or bears—by customizing as you like!
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.
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!
ghost puppet
The “Ghost Puppet,” made by sewing together white and black felt with a sewing machine, is a handmade puppet idea that can be enjoyed at nurseries and kindergartens.
The ghost’s body is securely stitched by machine, and the eyes and mouth are attached with glue using felt, making it durable and long-lasting—safe for small children to play with.
If you show the sewing machine in action during the process, it will spark children’s curiosity, and the finished puppet will be a hit in pretend play and performances.
It’s a perfect craft for seasonal events like Halloween, and a recommended idea for childcare workers and parents.
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.