November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 18, 2008
Friends: I received a HUGE package of fan mail from Leo Kerner Elementary School, a school I visited in October. I performed my show, “Scared Silly.” The letters were so adorable. I had to share some of them with you. The above is from Emmanvero. Here is what the letter says (I took the liberty [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Spoon Puppets Spoons make great puppets, both plastic picnic spoons and wooden cooking spoons. The spoon’s round end makes a perfect face while the spoon’s stem makes a great handle with which to maneuver the puppet. Children can draw the faces on or affix facial features with glue. Small plastic spoon puppets are perfect with [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Presentation Board Puppet Theater Presentation boards can be found at any super center or office supply store. Find one in your favorite color. The science board can be decorated in any fashion you wish. Just set it up on the floor and you (or your children) can puppeteer from behind the board. Happy Tales to [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Shoebox Puppet Theater Sit the shoebox on its side and cut off the top. Decorate the front with a scene. Use small plastic spoon puppets or finger puppets. Another way to create a shoebox puppet theater is by creating a “diorama,” decorating the inside of the shoebox. The hand will be visible as the puppets [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Lap Top Box Puppet Theater I learned this method from a school librarian in Houston when I lived there after Katrina. Take a box large enough to sit comfortably on your lap. Cut off the top and the back of the box leaving only the bottom, two sides, and the front. Decorate the front of [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Doorway Puppet Theater Using a tension rod or shower curtain rod across a doorway and a curtain or bed sheet, you can create an instant and inexpensive puppet theater. Kids love being behind the curtain. I used this method to entertain my youngest daughter and her cousins. I found a twin sheet that looked like [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Stuffed Animal Puppets Old or thrift store stuffed animals can easily be turned into puppets. Make a small slit in the back of the animal, pull out some of the stuffing, and sew a sock into the inside of the animal to slip your hand inside. Instant puppet! Above, you see Lucky the Puppy. He [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Finger Puppets Cut the fingers off an old or inexpensive glove and create a finger puppet. Finger puppets are fun for young children who may not have the hand-eye coordination to manipulate a larger puppet. Finger puppets work well with shoebox puppet theaters. The above finger puppet was made from the index finger cut from [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Sock Puppets Puppets made out of socks are classic. Nowadays, socks are so colorful that you can be truly imaginative with your sock puppets. Hot glue some yarn hair and googly eyes, and you have an instant friend. I developed a sock puppet skit for a summer reading program one year. The stars of the [...]
November 2008
by Dianne de Las Casas on November 17, 2008
Glove Puppets I love making a series of puppets out of a glove. Glove puppets work well with the telling of a classic tale such as “The Three Little Pigs.” Each of the fingers becomes a character – the mama pig, the three little pigs, and of course, the big bad wolf. In the glove [...]
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