Make Paper Puppets from Coloring Pages
By ColorWillowPublished
A colored animal can become a character in a small puppet show. Start with one clear subject and make a folded-paper handle so it is easy to hold.
What you will need
- A printed coloring page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- A strip of sturdy paper
- Tape or a glue stick
- Child-appropriate scissors, with adult help
Choose a clear silhouette
Look for an animal or dinosaur with its whole body visible. A simple outline with space around it is easier to cut than a crowded scene. Color the character before cutting it out.
Cut with a little border
Ask an adult to help cut around the character, leaving a white paper border. Keep narrow tails and legs attached to that border instead of cutting out every tiny gap.
Make the handle
Fold a strip of sturdy paper lengthwise into a broad, flat handle. Tape one end to the back of the character so the other end extends below it. Test the handle and add tape if it feels loose.
Put on a short show
Hold the puppet behind the edge of a table or an open picture book. Choose where the character is going, who it meets and how the story ends. Take turns speaking for different puppets.
Make it simpler or add a scene
For a no-cut version, fold the whole colored sheet at the bottom to make a handle and hold it up. For a longer activity, draw a separate background together. Keep small paper scraps out of reach of very young children.