How-To Make a Stick Puppet or Mask

Let's Get Started

Here's What You Will Need....

DIRECTIONS

Cut a basic head and shoulder shape from the poster board or craft foam. The kids and I made these to be about the same size as the kids themselves...

It was really interesting to see their ideas develop...I gave them the basic supplies and let them decide if they wanted to make their puppet look like themselves, a fictional character, possibly even a parent!

(For the stick handles) If you plan to make the puppets life size, you will need to use dowel rods; if you make them more doll size, you can use the bamboo skewers. It could be a lot of fun to do a family in the doll sizes!

Here's a Safety Reminder:

Be safety conscious about using a hot glue gun when working with children.

Hot glue sticks..and stays stuck...and keeps burning! Careful, Please!

(Despite every effort, accidents still happen...fingers that get hot glue on them really appreciate some cold water! Cools the sting, and prevents further burning!)

Despite Grandma's best intentions.....DON'T USE BUTTER on burns! It just seals the heat in, causing the burn to go deeper!

Craft sticks can also be used for pressing items into the hot glue...a good way to keep little fingers burn-free! The pointed end of a bamboo skewer works great for tiny items.

If you choose to work with paper, and forego the heavier ornaments, you can use craft or school glue. When you are working with the heavier items, the craft glue is frustrating...takes longer to dry, and the masks aren't as strong as when they are made with hot glue....so, parents; teachers...

Join the fun! Wield that hot glue gun and make a mask of your own!

Put 'er Hair, Errr...I Mean There!

Let the kids decide if they want their mask to be flesh tone, a puppet color, or simply white. Poster board comes in a rainbow of colors, but your kids may want to color or paint if they choose natural flesh tones.

Glue the hair in place first, it will affect the placement of the rest of the face!

You can use doll hair, yarn, or jute. Doll hair comes prepackaged, usually is very curly and kids love it! You can leave it in ringlets, or stretch and pull it to get a "fluffy" look!

Yarn or Jute Pom Poms Make Great Hair

Yarn and jute can both be braided, or made into
pom poms for a spiked hair look. When you glue it
onto the mask, place your glue on the knot. You
can place it on the mask parallel to look like short
hair, or vertically for spiked hair.

Above: That's a piece of posterboard with the yarn wrapped around it....

Just tie it in the middle, and slide off the cardboard...and Voila...you're on your way to puppet hair!

For shorter hair:
1. Wrap the yarn or jute around your fingers, keeping them slightly separated. Wrap about 8-10 times.
2. Slide the yarn off your fingers, and tie in the middle.
You can leave the ends in loops to look like curls, or cut them to make spiked hair
1. To make longer hair, or ponytails, wrap the yarn around a rectangular piece of poster board.

Note: The pom poms stay more secure if you place the glue where the knot is tied to hold them together...especially on the ones that you cut the loops open. Those little pieces of yarn tend to come out if they aren't tied tight enough!

Also, in the photos above, the white pom poms are actually made from a twisted yarn that has gold thread woven into it...

Using Wire to Make a Mouth, or Even Hair!

Wrap craft wire around a pencil, or a bamboo skewer; when you slide it off, you have a coil of wire that can be easily shaped into a mouth!
This one is made from a double strand of wire, one each of red and gold.

Ears an Idea

Come on...you can do it, just bend me an ear!

The "Eyes" Have It

Craft foamies can also be used to make "parts." You can buy them wherever you buy felt squares.

Felt squares make great parts too! Use the sparkly felt for bow ties, hair bows, or hair.

Pom pom noses

Feathers for eyebrows, mustaches, beards...even hair!

Bandanas can be used a tie, a headband, or neck scarf

Wiggle eyes come in a variety of sizes and colors...you may also use animal eyes!

For a different look, cut the plastic casing of the wiggle eyes open, and use the flat black disc by itself...it makes a great looking eye!

Finishing Touches

Well...let's see now; eyes, ears, hair, mouth...how about a nose?

We all know where those all belong, so now it's time to give your puppet a face! Let yourself go! Wild and wacky or cute and sweet...the choice is yours!

Just glue everything in place, and you're almost done!

All that's left is to put the dowel rod on the back of your puppet so you have a handle on your "Self!"

Place the dowel rod close to the top of the head for stability

Glue in place
(This is where you DEFINITELY want to use hot glue...so, moms; teachers...watch those little fingers!)

Cut a rectangular piece of poster board as shown

Tape the support piece on top of the dowel rod using a heavy-duty tape for endurance!

I prefer clear packaging tape because it gives your project a nice finished look..it's a matter of personal preference!

Duct tape works well, too!

There's a Mask or Puppet to Be Made For Every Season of the Year

Pre-cut masks make a great pattern when you are creating a project for your classroom.

These masks are cut from balsa wood, and make a durable pattern for repeated use in the classroom.

Just use the purchased mask for a pattern, and trace onto craft foam or cardboard... use a dowel rod, craft stick or paint stick for the handles.



There's a story to be told about this troublesome trio... watch for updates!

Count Dracula

Feathers Make Terrific Design Elements for a Puppet Face

Feathers come in a rainbow of colors and sizes...use them for accent pieces, or create an entire face with them!

If you are a busy teacher or childcare provider, you can save time and effort by purchasing ready-made kits...all the parts and pieces are included!

Crafts Are a Great Teaching Tool....

Enrich the learning experience with tactile teaching tactics!

Creating designs that reflect the lessons learned in a history class can instill a lasting impression in the mind of your students...

This mask is called "Purim"...the perfect craft for a lesson on ancient Persia, King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther.

Here's where the story begins...

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:

When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days...

Esther 1: 1-4 KJV, The Bible

Here's a Pop-Up Puppet Idea ...He Adds Extra Excitement to Your Favorite Pirate Adventure!

More Ideas for Faces for Your Stick Puppets

Pre-Schoolers love animals! Here are some ideas to create a zoo for your little lion tamers!

The BIG BONUS...
A busy morning creating their own zoo will guarantee a long afternoon nap for your little ones!

So, How Many Puppets Did YOU Make Today?

Let's see....hair, eyes, ears...nose, mouth...
Using your foamies for shirts, collars, and accent pieces....
Sounds like a face to me!....

So, that's it! You're all finished! Now turn your kids loose with their new toy and watch their imagination carry you to places you never dreamed possible!

Thank-you for crafting with me! I really hope you enjoyed this project! Stop back often...there's lots more in store!

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