Stick Puppets and Stage

Supplies Used: Adhesive, Cardstock or construction paper, Craft knife, Craft sticks, Crayons, markers or pens, Dowel (1/4"), Fabric (for curtain), Foam core (2' x 4'), Pencil (#2), Push pin, Rubber bands, Scissors

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Die-cut any of the puppets from cardstock or construction paper, and decorate with crayons, markers or pens or with die-cut pieces.
2. Insert a craft stick into the two slits on the puppet (Figures A, B & C). (Almost any die can be made into a stick puppet by cutting two small slits in the shape and inserting a craft stick into the slits.)
3. To make the stage, purchase a 2' x 4' piece of foam core, and cut a 12" piece off both ends.
4. In the center of the 2' square of foam core, cut a 3" border all the way around for the opening of the stage.
5. Die-cut assorted sizes of circles, and adhere the circles to the sides and front of the stage for a polka-dot effect (Main Photo).
6. Lay the sides and front of the stage face down, leaving a very small space between the front and the sides.
7. Adhere the two sides to the middle with packing tape (Figure D). This allows the stage to fold up.
8. Make a mark on the two sides indicating where the dowel (to hang the curtain) should be, and use a push pin to start the dowel hole.
9. Use a #2 pencil to push through the foam core to make a hole. The 1/4" dowel will fit in the hole.
10. Make a pocket on two fabric panels to thread the dowel through. If desired, hem the sides and the bottom of each panel. 
11. Wind rubber bands around each end of the dowel to keep it from sliding through the holes.
12. You now have a perfect stage for command performances of all sorts (Main Photo)!

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  Figure A
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  Figure B
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  Figure C
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  Figure D