A ‘Topkidz’ Early Learning Activity  

‘Topkidz’ activities are not designed to ‘baby sit’ your kids. Learning takes place at a more powerful rate when parents and siblings join in. Some of our activities are there for you to enjoy as a family, while other demand that you just ‘get them going’ and then keep watch. 

GLO’s – Golden Learning Opportunities are highlighted in all our activities. 

You will probably think of many ways to adapt a basic activity – just use your imagination, but always remember the golden rule is ... ‘Make it FUN’ 

©Topkidz Ready for School. 2001
For more learning ideas visit www.topkidz.co.uk  

ACTIVITY IDEA - PUPPETS 

GLO This fabulous activity gives children a wonderful opportunity to use their imagination and be creative. It also encourages language development, co-operation, social skills and fine motor skills.  

It is often a medium through which you can discover and address a child’s fears, phobias and problems.  

Puppets are great fun. They can be made from a variety of ‘junk’ that you will find around the house. (Now that wasn’t meant as an insult!) Your children can even make their own puppet theatre and put on shows for friends or family. 

Things you might need. 

v      An old sock or mitten; 

v      Paper bags; 

v      Paper plates 

v      Thin plant canes or sticks 

v      Variety of fabric oddments, coloured paper, crayons; 

v      Needles and thread (Help required here) 

v      Glue,  

v      Sticky tape. 

Making a Sock Puppet. 

Put the sock over your child’s hand and lower arm. Ask them to separate their thumb from the rest of their fingers inside the sock. Push the toe of the sock into the space they have made between fingers and thumb to form the puppet’s mouth. 

Now let your child decide what their puppet is going to be. A snake, a lion, a crocodile are all easy to create, but they might choose a fictional character, a monster or an alien. Make a few suggestions then let their imagination run riot. 

Use your collection of fabrics and paper to cut out shapes that will create their character. It is best to glue these into place while a hand is still in the sock to make sure that they are correctly positioned. 

An old mitten can be used in much the same way. Tuck in the thumb of the mitten and wear it back to front so that the hole does not show. Make a face, woollen loops for hair and attack fabric around the cuff to represent clothes if you wish. 

Paper Bag Puppet. 

This is very simple idea, yet extremely effective for young children. 

Use a small, plain coloured paper bag upside down and create a face of your choice on one side.  

This can be drawn with coloured pencils and crayons, or from shapes cut out and stuck on. Turn the bag over and make hair or fur on the reverse side. 

Now, partially stuff the paper bag with tissue paper and insert a small stick or garden cane. Pull the opening together around the stick and fasten tightly with string or sellotape. 

You can add fabric to make clothes if you wish, but this is optional. 

Paper Plate Puppet. 

Using a small paper plate, create a face on the concave side. 

Turn the plate over and fasten a short stick or garden cane on the reverse side.  

Now create hair with wool or make a hat with fabric to cover the back of the plate. 

Your puppet is now complete. 

Make your own Puppet Theatre. 

If you are handy with a hammer and have some oddments of wood, I’m sure you can create something spectacular. But for those of you who are not – here’s a simpler idea. 

You will need to find a large cardboard box. These are often available from the supermarket or local shops. 

Cut out most of the bottom, leaving a small frame around the edges. Secure with sticky tape.  

Cut away the top folding flaps. 

Now decorate the box both inside and out. You can use paint, wallpaper, pictures cut from magazines etc. When you have finished, lay the box on its side and add some fabric to each side of the hole you cut in the bottom, to resemble curtains. 

Now you’re ready to go. 

The kids will have hours of fun making up stories with their puppets or acting out the favourite stories that they know. 

Puppets are a wonderful way to develop your child’s confidence or encourage a shy child to join in. 

©Topkidz Ready for School. 2001