Puppets Around the World
Clip Art or Photo Stick Puppets
What you will make:
Kids have wonderful imaginations that can be
nurtured through inventive play, and puppets are excellent vehicles for a
child's creative expression.
It's very easy to make simple puppets using clip art, magazine photos, cutouts from coloring books, or photos you have taken.
In this project, you will learn how to make simple stick puppets using
clip art or photos.
This project requires few materials and little time to get started. It is great for family, classroom or group craft time.
For a more structured stick puppet project with a written play, try the
Stick Puppets project.
For more puppet craft projects, many with plays, see
Around the World.
Here's what you need:
- Computer paper for printing
- Bamboo skewers or other thin sticks
- A source of clip art, pictures or photos
This project is rated VERY EASY to do.
How to Make Clip Art or Photo Puppets
Read all of the steps before starting.
- Step 1: Project Preparation
Read through the project, then gather the materials needed for making the puppets.
There are many sources of online clip art. Just search for the
picture you want and include "clip art" or "illustration" at the
end—like "running rabbit clip art" or "turtle illustration" or
"tortoise and hare clip art".
- Step 2: Come Up With an Idea
Find an idea for your puppet play—perhaps think of a favorite story or character, and imagine how you might develop that into a play. Or,
just make some puppets that seem interesting or fun and let the story flow from playing with them.
- Step 3: Print
Print your clip art or photos in the size range of 4" to 7" (10 cm to 18 cm).
Print a picture that can be used as a backdrop for the play.
- Step 4: Cut
Cut out each puppet. If they have intricate details, just trim loosely around those details.
- Step 5: Attach Stick
With the puppet face-down, tape a bamboo skewer to the back.
- Step 6: Make Up a Story
Make up names for your characters and practice speaking in different
voices. Have fun with your puppets and your friends' puppets. Work
together to make a play that can be performed for family and friends!
Tape a backdrop that you printed or colored to the wall and perform
the play in front of it.
That's it! Now have some puppet
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