How it Plays

Set out sheets of wrapping paper with pictures, old magazines, or blank paper for your child to cut up. Discuss what kinds of characters and props your child would like for her puppet show. Find them among the magazine pages, or have her draw them. Cut out the pictures, and tape or glue them to Popsicle sticks, chopsticks, or spoons.

Create a stage by ducking behind a sofa or low table or by tacking a towel across a doorway. Help your child develop a play by asking questions:

Demonstrate how to move the puppets around while making different voices for the characters. Then become the audience, and watch the fun.

What You''ll Need

Learning and Growing

Nothing builds language skills like putting on a play. Making and playing with puppets develops fine-motor skills as well. This is also a great activity for a playdate, since kids have to cooperate in deciding on characters and the stories they are going to act out.