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 to make! A collection of simple handmade doll ideas using a variety of materials
- Popular with toddlers! A collection of homemade toy ideas
- Learn with fun! A collection of DIY ideas for food education materials useful in childcare
- [For Kids] Recommended Ideas for DIY Toothbrushing Dolls
- Handmade fabric toy ideas: toys that make babies happy
- Handmade summer festival games: a collection of ideas you can enjoy at kindergartens, daycare centers, and at home.
- Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of DIY beanbag (otedama) ideas
- [Enrollment] Handmade bag ideas you can use at daycare
- [Let’s Make and Play!] Handmade Toy Ideas You Can Create Yourself
- Fun for Kids! A Collection of DIY Musical Instrument Ideas Using Everyday Materials
- Easy DIY! Introducing educational toys that can be easily made with 100-yen shop items and things around the house.
- [Handmade Picture Books] A curated selection of recommended ideas perfect for early childhood education
- Handmade plushies with everyday items! A collection of ideas perfect for beginners
Fun for daycare and kindergarten! A collection of handmade puppet ideas (1–10)
Glove rabbit puppet
Make it without any prep! Here’s an idea for a glove bunny puppet.
Do you ever find yourself unsure what to do during small pockets of time, like before a walk or before and after activities? This impromptu puppet idea comes in handy at those times.
All you need is one pair of gloves—nothing else.
There’s no need to cut or paste materials; just fold the gloves and you’re done.
It’s great how easy it is, right? You can also enjoy chatting with the children, saying things like, “The bunny came to visit!” 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.
No-sew felt puppet
Recommended for craft beginners too! Here are ideas for felt puppets you can make without sewing.
If you’re making puppets by hand, beginners might feel it seems “difficult” or “a lot of work.” However, by using felt, you don’t have to worry about fraying edges, and it’s easy to make! What you’ll need: felt, double-sided tape, a glue gun, scissors, paper, clips, and a pencil.
The designs can also be used for toothbrushing guidance, so be sure to give them a try.
Fun for nurseries and kindergartens! Handmade puppet idea collection (11–20)
Food Education Puppet
Carry food to its mouth—munch munch! Here are ideas for a food-education puppet.
Let’s make a food-education puppet that’s great for nutrition activities, too.
If you finish it with a cute bear motif, it’s sure to capture children’s interest! You’ll need felt, thread, adhesive tape, eye and nose parts, a pen, and so on.
The bear’s body is made by layering three pieces of felt, so you can create separate sections for the hand opening and a pocket for inserting food items.
Watching the bear eat deliciously will help children feel the joy of eating.
Ogre puppet made from a paper cup
@hoikushisatomi [Easy to Make] Oni (Demon) Puppet CraftNursery teacher / Childcare worker#100-yen shop DIY#NurseryTeacherDailyLifeSetsubunOni of SetsubunPuppet
♬ Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi – Ovall
The “Oni puppet” made from a paper cup is a unique handmade craft idea that can be enjoyed year-round.
By simply attaching horns and a face designed from origami or construction paper to a paper cup, you can create an oni with lots of expression.
Both the materials and tools are simple, making it appealing for children to work at their own pace.
During the process, imagination is nurtured through experimenting with colors and shapes, and it naturally encourages interaction with caregivers and teachers.
The finished piece is fun to display and is a highly satisfying craft made from familiar materials.
amigurumi puppet
The handmade charm of an “amigurumi puppet” makes it a perfect idea for playtime in nurseries and kindergartens.
Crafted with soft, fluffy yarn, this puppet is gentle to the eye and touch, and it’s a versatile item that can be used for performances and pretend play.
Using basic crochet techniques, you can freely customize it into animals or characters, creating uniquely expressive pieces.
The time and care put into making one bring a special sense of accomplishment when it’s finished.
It has a warmth you won’t find in mass-produced items, spreading smiles in children’s play—a highly recommended handmade puppet.
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.