How to Make Paper Puppets (with Pictures)

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Easily turn a piece of paper into a fun, cute, or silly puppet!
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Making your own paper puppets is super easy—and super fun! All you’ll need to get started is a piece of construction paper or paper lunch bag and a whole lot of creativity. This craft is perfect for all ages and is a great way to pass the time. So, what are you waiting for? Gather up your supplies, follow our tutorial, and put on a fantastic puppet show!

How to Make a Puppet Out of Paper

  1. Fold a piece of paper into thirds lengthwise.
  2. Glue the top flap down.
  3. Rotate the paper vertically and fold it paper in half.
  4. Fold each paper flap down towards the bottom edge.
  5. Glue the top outside folds down.
  6. Decorate with whatever you’d like!
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Folded Paper Hand Puppet

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  1. Use construction paper that's 12 by 18 in (30 by 46 cm) . First, take one of the longer edges of the paper and fold it up a third of the way. Then, repeat with the opposite long edge. Fold the paper so that you have 3 equal sections. [1]
    • Don’t worry if your folds aren’t perfectly equal. Since 1 flap will be at the bottom of the puppet, no one will notice if the edges don’t align exactly.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Puppet
    Open up the top fold and squirt glue along the entire inside of the flap. Then press it down onto the other folded third so that the folds won’t come undone. The paper should now look like a long, narrow rectangle. [2]
    • Squeeze the glue in dots or thin lines down the length of the paper. Avoid using too much or applying a thick layer, or it will make the paper soggy.
    • You can use white school glue or a glue stick to make your paper hand puppet.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Puppet
    After you rotate it, the short sides of the rectangle should be at the top and bottom. Keep the paper rectangle oriented like this as you continue to fold it.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Puppet
    Pull one of the shorter edges up so that it aligns with the other short edge. Crease the paper at the fold to hold it in place. [3]
    • To avoid any sloppy seams from showing on your puppet, fold the paper so that the glued edge is on the inside of the folded paper, not the outside.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Puppet
    After you’ve folded the rectangle in half, bring one of the flaps back down. Align the edge with the bottom fold, then crease the fold so the paper stays down. Repeat with the other side. [4]
    • Try to line up the edges as perfectly as possible so your puppet isn’t crooked.

    Tip: To check that you made your folds correctly, look at your folded paper from the side. It should look like an “M” or a “W.”

  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Puppet
    Squirt dots or a thin line of glue around the inside of the 2 flaps you just folded. Press the flaps down firmly once you’ve applied the glue to secure them in place. The side view of your folded paper should now look like a “V.” [5]
    • Hold the paper down for about 20 seconds to let it dry before you remove your hand.
    • Leave the very center fold of the paper unglued. This will be the mouth of your puppet.
  7. Use crayons, markers, or paint to add colorful designs to the puppet. You can also glue on 3D decorations like ribbon, sequins , or googly eyes . [6]
    • If you’re using heavier decorations, like gems or popsicle sticks, consider gluing them on with hot glue instead of school glue for a stronger hold.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Puppet
    First, put your thumb in one of the openings along the outside of the center crease. Then, insert the rest of your fingers into the opening next to it. To open and close your puppet’s mouth, simply open and close your hand while your fingers are inside the paper.
    • Keep in mind that it’s easier to use the puppet with your dominant hand. For example, if you’re right-handed, put your puppet on your right hand.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making a Paper Bag Puppet

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  1. Select a paper lunch bag to use as your puppet. With a paper bag puppet , you don't need to fold or cut anything to use your puppet! Just stick your hand into it and use your fingers to move the bottom of the bag up and down like it's a talking mouth. Simply find a bag that best fits your hand and preferences.
    • Opt for a paper lunch bag that’s a standard brown shade or more colorful. If you can’t find colorful bags, paint the bag yourself with acrylic or spray paint. [7]
  2. To turn your paper puppet into a person, glue googly eyes on top of the puppet (the bottom of the paper bag) along with strands of yarn for hair. Draw on a nose and lips, glue paper ears on the side, and/or design an outfit on the bottom half—let your creativity run wild!
    • If you don’t have yarn, you can use ribbon or fabric for the hair. To make braids, cut strips of fabric and weave them together just like you were braiding real hair.
    • For clothes, glue on things like fabric scraps , buttons, or a paper bow tie. Make jewelry out of string and beads.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Puppet
    Cut out your puppet’s ears, nose, eyes, paws, and any other markings or features out of construction paper . Glue or tape the features onto your paper bag to make your puppet come to life! [8]
    • Try using a pipe cleaner to give your puppet a tail.
    • Make a collar using a piece of ribbon with a bead or charm on it.
    • Reference a picture of your favorite pet or animal to help inspire your puppet creation.

    Tip: You can make any kind of animal you want, like an alligator, owl, or bunny! Start with ears, eyes, and a tail, then add any extras like a beak or teeth.

  4. For an extra spooky or silly puppet, decorate the front of the bag in bright colors or patterns, like stripes and polka dots, using paint or markers. Then, glue on oversized eyes and pointy fangs cut out of construction paper. You can also add ears, horns, or a long tongue—don’t be afraid to get creative with it! [9]
    • Use things like glitter, feathers , or pieces of wrapping paper to make your puppet more unique and creative.
    • Googly eyes and colorful sequins can be the perfect addition to a silly monster puppet.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you make a puppet with a stick?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    One super easy way is to cut a simple shape out of paper (like an oval for a face), then tape or glue it to the stick. Decorate your puppet by drawing on it, adding stickers or googly eyes, or gluing on decorations like yarn hair or sequins. Use the stick to move your puppet around.
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  • Question
    How do you make a finger puppet out of paper?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Cut the shape you want out of construction paper. For example, you might make a little human figure. Then, cut out a short, narrow strip of paper and roll it into a tube that’s small enough to fit around your finger. Tape the tube shut and attach it to the back of your puppet with tape or glue.
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  • Question
    How do you make a puppet talk?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If your puppet has a mouth that moves, you can use your hand to move the mouth and make the puppet look like it’s talking. At the same time, use your voice to say whatever you want your puppet to say. The audience will be distracted watching the puppet move and “talk,” so it will seem like the voice is coming from the puppet! Even if your puppet doesn’t have a moving mouth, you can make it seem like it’s talking by bobbing it around and moving its body along with your voice.
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      Things You'll Need

      Creating a Folded Paper Hand Puppet

      Making a Paper Bag Puppet

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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/hMpD3LOk0OM?t=28
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/hMpD3LOk0OM?t=34
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/xCHU6qGREIo?t=136
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/xCHU6qGREIo?t=156
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/xCHU6qGREIo?t=214
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/xCHU6qGREIo?t=280
      7. ↑ https://www.auntannie.com/Puppets/BrownBag/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/32JLHuJDEnQ?t=18
      9. ↑ https://www.auntannie.com/Puppets/BrownBag/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a simple paper puppet, start by folding a piece of construction paper in thirds lengthwise. Then, glue down the top fold so the paper looks like a long rectangle. Next, fold the rectangle in half so the 2 short ends meet before folding each flap down so the edges meet the center. After that, glue down the 2 outer flaps, and decorate the puppet however you like. Finally, stick your fingers into the 2 holes created by the folds to use your puppet. For tips on how to make a puppet out of a paper bag, keep reading!

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