Supplies:

• Trays (one for each child)
• Containers
• Paper Bags or Clean Socks
• Colorful Cardstock
• Pipe Cleaners
• Yarn
• Kid Scissors
• Color markers
• Adhesive (tape, glue stick, glue dots, etc.)
• Googly Eyes
• Gems, Stickers, etc.
• Hot Glue Gun (Counselor use only)

Prep/ Set Up Details:

• Prep each child’s tray with: Paper Bag or Sock
• Organize all shared supplies in containers (e.g., paper, markers, adhesives, etc.)
• Prepare a few relevant fun facts or questions to enrich the activity discussion!
  • Has anyone ever seen a puppet show before?
  • Think about what you will name your puppet and what their personality might be like!
    

‍Preparing for younger children (ages 3-6)

• Pre-cut feature shapes
• Opt for paper bag puppets that may be easier to glue onto
• Opt for less messy options (e.g. glue sticks, etc.)
  
  

Preparing for older children (ages 7+) 

• Allow them to cut everything themselves
• Challenge them to create their own custom features
• Consider more sophisticated options (e.g. glitter, etc.)

Activity Instructions:

Counselor(s) Prep (30 minutes before)

Doors Open (5 minutes before)

Gather (right on time)

• When all children are seated, welcome everyone!
• Introduce yourself and any other Counselors assisting the activity
• Give children a brief overview of what to expect and show children a completed “demo” or what the final product of this craft can look like
• Briefly review the tools they’ll be using and highlight any tools/techniques that require either (1) special care or (2) direct Counselor intervention
  • E.g. “Scissor edges can be sharp, so take care to always grab them by their handles and set them down gently every time!”
  • Or - “If you are making a sock puppet, come and see Counselor ABC for help with the hot glue”

Icebreaker (5 minutes)

• We’re going to play Nice to Meet Ya!
• Instruct all children and Counselors to sit in a circle
• Go around the circle having each participant tell everyone their name and what they think their unicorn name would be
• Counselors can go first to set an example for children 

Craft (25 minutes)

1. Prep your puppet body
   • Paper Bag:
     • Trace, cut, and glue/tape paper to cover each section of the body
     • Draw, cut and glue/tape an oval for the face - the top of the face can align with the middle of the bag bottom
   • Sock Puppets
     • Try your puppet on for size and make a mouth - while it is on your hand, mark where the face will go
       
2. Choose your magical features
   • Mane (choose one)
     • Yarn Tresses: 
       • Wrap yarn 20 times around your hand - cut the length from the yarn skein
       • Tie the loose end of yarn snugly around one side of the loops to hold them in place and then cut through the center on the other side
     • Pipe Cleaner Curls:
       • Wind pipe cleaners loosely around your finger or a pencil to make a magical mane
         
   • Horn (choose one)
     • Pipe Cleaner: 
       • Twist three pipe cleaners together and shape into a coil to create a horn - use whatever pattern you like. You can twist all three around a coil, or you can stagger the colors.
     • Paper Horn: 
       • Cut a square with 5-inch sides out of cardstock 
       • Fold it corner to corner and cut the diagonal to create a triangle
       • Roll it into a horn shape and tape to secure - fold in the bottom edges to create a flat base
         
   • Crown (choose one)
     1. Pipe Cleaner Tiara:
        1. Cut a pipe cleaner into thirds and bend each piece into a “V” shape
        2. Attach those pieces onto another longer pipe cleaner - twist the bottoms of your Vs around the longer pipe cleaner, and then shape the longer piece into a tiara.
     2. Flower Crown:
        1. Draw and cut flower shapes
        2. Curl the petals to add dimension, then layer and tape/glue two flowers together
           
   • Eyes: Use googly eyes!
   • Ears: Cut paper ears shapes (layer two colors to represent the outer/ inner ear)
3. Put it all together!
   1. Glue features onto your puppet!
      1. If you are using a sock for the puppet body, insert a piece of cardboard to spread the sock open before gluing pieces on!)
      2. Safety reminder: Hot glue can only be handled by Counselors
4. Use markers or gems to make your unicorn sparkle!
   
   

Play/ Perform (10 minutes)

• Instruct children to sit in a circle with their puppets - go around the room and have them make up a puppet voice and have the puppet introduce themselves to the group - name, favorite color, and favorite snack! Counselors can go first to help demonstrate.
• Think of a common story that everyone knows (e.g. 3 Little Pigs, The Cat in the Hat, etc.) or bring out a storybook to read with the group. Assign characters to each puppet and work together to reenact the story! 

Wrap-up/ Goodbyes (5 minutes)

‍Reset/ Cleanup (After - 10 minutes)