Paper bag puppets are hardly creatively
groundbreaking when it comes to kids’ activities. I remember making faces on
the flaps of lunch sacks as a young child, and loving every minutes of it. As
an adult, I’ve made what feels like a zillion puppets with my own son as well
as the children who I teach. Even though they are so simple to make, kids seem
to always enjoy making a new pretend play friend out of a boring old paper bag.
So, I’m going to skip the traditional draw a face on
the flap paper bag puppet directions. You’ve probably been there and done that
and are now looking for something a little different. Yes? Ok, so on to the
photo puppet. Instead of drawing it, have your child choose a photo (or a few)
of a person or an animal. If your child is completely obsessed with a cartoon
character, print out a picture of her favorite animated friend to use instead.
Here’s What you’ll Need:
·
A headshot photo
·
Scissors
·
Clear drying school glue
·
A lunch-sized paper bag
Here’s What to Do:
1. Cut
out the face from the picture.
2. Place
the bag flap side up and to the top on your work surface.
3. Glue
the photo to the flap.
What next? Your child can get as creative as she
wants to decorate the rest of the bag – both the front and back. I tried three
different ways of decorating, but your child might opt for something different.
Let her help you to choose the materials that she’ll use if she’s not into one
of these methods:
Feathered
Animal Friends: Make a bird or a mixed-up animal
creature (we made a cat-bird). Glue colorful craft feathers to the bag to add a
soft, fluffy texture.
Textured
Paint: An easy way to create ‘fur’ for an animal puppet.
Pour pools of tempera paint onto a plate (I used the lid of an old plastic-ware
container). Use a pom pom or piece of crumbled tissues paper to make paint
prints. Dip the pom pom/tissue into the pant and then press it onto the bag.
Your child can mix and blend a few colors too!
Pipe
Cleaner Arms: Poke two holes in the bag, one on each
side. Make the holes directly across from each other. You may need to do this
step or your younger child. Thread a pipe cleaner through to create two arms.
Collage
Clothes: Use tissue, construction paper or fabric scraps to
collage clothes onto the character puppet.
When your child is done with the art-making, she’s
ready for pretend play! She can create her own scene, act out a story book or
you can use the puppet to role play. If your child is stressing about starting
school, is apprehensive about how to handle her new puppy or is having sibling
issues, you can use a photo puppet to act out a tense scene and ease your child’s
anxiety. Doing this helps her to explore decision-making skills, problem solve
and work on constructive communication in a safe environment. For example:
·
First
day of school: before school starts ask your child’s
new teacher for a picture or ask if it’s ok to snap one at an orientation day. Make
a teacher puppet and play act a day at school with your child.
·
New
animal: You have some concerns that your 4-year-old will
brashly mishandle your new puppy or kitten. Create an animal puppet and cover
it with soft craft fur. Use it to show your child how to properly ‘meet’ a new
animal. Put the puppet on your hand and let her put her own hand in front of
her pretend play friend’s face to smell. Have her gently pet the puppet,
letting her know if she’s getting too rough.
·
Baby
in the family: Same deal as the new animal. Before she
mishandles the baby, try patting the puppet’s head or stroking its cheek.
·
Friend
or sibling conflict: Act out a conflict that your child is
having by making a big sister puppet or playdate pal.
Are you looking for more creative crafts to try out
with your child? Follow my Pinterest board for ideas!
Follow Mini Monets and Mommies's board Creative Kids Crafts on Pinterest.
Following you from the social media mixer! This puppet DIY is so creative! I am a big animal lover so i love this!
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DeleteThese are too cute! My kids would love this, they can be creative and use their silly side to make their creation. Looking forward to trying :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! We just got a new puppy, so we had to make one with his picture!
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