Supplies:

• Trays (one for each child)
• Containers
• Paper Bags or Clean Socks
• Colorful Cardstock
• Empty Egg Cartons
• Paper Muffin Liners
• Pipe Cleaners
• Yarn
• Kid Scissors
• Color markers
• Adhesive (tape, glue stick, glue dots, 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 their favorite puppet/ muppet
• Counselors can go first to set an example for children 

Craft (25 minutes)

1. Prep your puppet body
   1. Paper Bag:
      • Trace, cut, and glue/tape paper to cover each section of the body
   2. Sock Puppet
      • 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 desired features
   1. Eyes (choose one):
      • 1-eye: Cut a small paper circle (pupil)  and glue it inside a muffin liner
      • 3-eyes: Cut out three egg cup holders and use markers to draw eyes
   2. Head (choose one):
      • Hair: 
        • Wrap yarn 30 times around your hand (cut 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
      • Horns: 
        • 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
   3. Antennae: Wind pipe cleaners loosely around your finger to coil
   4. Spots: Cut circles out of cardstock (best for paper bag puppets)
   5. Teeth: Cut paper triangles for teeth (best for paper bag puppets)
      
      
3. Put it all together!
   1. Glue features onto your puppet!
      • If using a sock for the puppet body, hot glue will be required to attach each feature.
      • Safety Reminder: Hot glue is a counselor-only tool! Insert a piece of cardboard to spread the sock open before gluing pieces on!
4. If using a paper bag, you can use markers to color the spots and anything else you want - color in the uncovered sides of the paper bag with scales or other designs.
   
   

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 (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)