How to Make

3 Simple Hand Puppets for

Outdoor Learning 

What do you think of when you think hand puppets? Do you envision socks puppets or brown paper bag puppets? Have you ever considered stick puppets? How do you see children interacting with these puppets?  Could you add Literacy? Dramatic Play? I am sure I am speaking to the choir. As many of you know, hand puppets are wonderful vehicles that can tap into children’s creativity and imaginations. Hand puppets are versatile and can be used as tools to help children deal with difficult situations. They are perfect to add a little spice to a children’s story. Puppets should be in every Natural Teachers Curriculum-On-The-Go tool box. Here are 3 simple hand puppet ideas to get you started with dynamic lessons outdoors.

SOCK PUPPET

I love everything about the sock puppet. I love that I can recycle odd socks, introduce sewing skills and invite children to create characters that enhance learning. 

Materials: 1 Sock, 2 buttons, marker, scissors, needle, and thread. Any additional recycled material for clothes, hair, etc. The possibilities are endless

• Step 1: With the needle and thread, sew the 2 buttons onto the foot of the sock. The buttons represent eyes.
• Step 2: At the tip of the sock, with the marker, draw a shape for the mouth
• Step 3: Add any additional materials!

BROWN BAG PUPPET:

The brown back puppet is perfect for early learners. These puppets are easy to make and require few materials. Brown bag puppets are simple and can also be used after the outdoor puppet show for collecting nature’s loose parts. 

Materials: 1 lunch bag, glue sticks, googly eyes, colored paper, ribbon, markers and any additional recycled materials.

• Step 1: With the glue stick add googly eyes to the bottom of the bag
• Step 2: With colored paper or markers add a mouth in the seam of the lunch bag
• Step 3: Add any additional materials for clothes, hair and/or accessories. The ideas here are endless!

STICK PUPPET: 

OK….as a Natural Teacher…this is my favorite! These puppets bring a whole new meaning to sticks. These sticks are no longer looked upon as weapons and now can be transformed and cast as the lead singer in the next outdoor puppet show. 

Materials: 1 stick, googly eyes, fabric, glue gun, ribbon & any additional material for accessories

• Step 1: Add googly eye(s) with glue gun
• Step 2: Add clothes to your stick. For example, a cape, shirts, etc.
• Step 3: Add any additional materials. For example, ribbon for hair, etc. Think about adding nature’s loose parts as well!

As you can see the steps are very similar for all three types of puppets. Once you determine which type of puppet you’re making, then everything else will fall into place; such as, if you’re sewing, gluing or using the glue gun.

PUPPET CHARACTERS: 

Once all the puppets begin to take shape; their personalities will start growing. Is the puppet a baby, mommy, daddy, grandparent, or child? Literacy can be introduced with either making up stories or reading a story and adding the puppet characters.

OUTDOOR PUPPET THEATRE: 

This can be as simple as hanging a tarp or blanket to your outdoor space with bungee cords. Children can play with their puppets while exploring a variety of characters.

Now I want to hear from you. Which type of puppet did you try? Did you make an outdoor puppet theater in your outdoor space? Share your puppet story below.

About Victoria Hackett:

My mission is for every child in every school to have access to an Outdoor Classroom. Therefore, I inspire educators to teach outdoors and lead an on-line virtual community of Natural Teachers all over the world to create their own Outdoor Classroom story.

Subscribe Today: FREE NEWSLETTER