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Make a Paper Bag Puppet with Moving Arms!
Remember those awesome paper bag puppets from when you were a kid? Let's make one, but even better – with moving arms! It's super easy, and tons of fun. Perfect for a rainy day, or just because.
What You'll Need:
- A brown paper lunch bag (any color works!)
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Construction paper (lots of colors)
- Pipe cleaners (optional, but fun!)
- Yarn or string (for hair)
- Googly eyes (highly recommended!)
- Other stuff – buttons, feathers… get creative!
Let's Make a Puppet!
1. The Face:
First, let's design the face. Lay the bag flat. Draw a face! Silly? Friendly? Scary? Go wild! Don't forget googly eyes – they add so much personality. My son once made a puppet with a grumpy face and bright pink hair. It was hilarious!
2. Moving Arms – The Magic!
Here's the cool part: moving arms! Cut two strips of construction paper – about 4-6 inches long, 1-2 inches wide. The length is up to you.
Fold each strip in half. Cut a tiny slit at the folded end. See? These are the arms.
Slip the slitted end into the side of the bag, near the top. A little glue or tape makes sure they stay put. Boom! Moving arms!
3. Hair (Optional, But Awesome):
Want hair? Cut some yarn or string. Glue it to the top of the bag. Braids? Ponytail? Messy hair? You decide! Pipe cleaners are also a fun option.
4. Add Some Flair!
Time for the fun part – decorating! Buttons for a shirt? Felt clothes? A tiny hat? A backpack? Seriously, anything goes!
Pipe cleaners can make antennae, glasses… whatever you can imagine! My daughter loves adding tiny felt bows to her puppets.
5. Showtime!
Your puppet is ready! Put your hand in the bag. Move the arms! Put on a show! You could even write a short play. My kids love making up their own stories.
Tips & Tricks:
- Bag Sizes: Use different sized bags for different sized puppets. A big grocery bag makes a giant puppet!
- Themes: Animal puppets? Superheroes? Characters from your favorite book?
- Advanced Stuff: Older kids might try a moving mouth (a little tricky, but cool!).
- Make it a Party!: Make puppets with friends! It’s a great way to spend time together.
The End (For Now!)
Making these puppets is a blast! It's creative, fun, and it helps kids learn too. So grab your supplies and get crafting! Have fun!