How to Make a Rod Puppet

Rod pupets are centuries old. And They are used in almost every culture. Rod puppets got their name because they are on rods or fine sticks. There are many different types of rod puppets. Shadow puppets are rod puppets, Any doll or toy set on rod is a rod uppet. If you look at Rizzo From Henson he is a typical Rod puppet.Greek oiled parchment shadow puppets are a form of rod puppet and Javanese Puppets are rod puppets.
You can get as elaborate as you want, with one or two rods. The image from swazzle is a single rod, rod puppet.
The project here incorportaes a Styrofoam brand block for a body, a Styrofoam brand egg for the head and small sheet for the hand. You can cover with paint or glue fabric over it. I prefer Felt as it can mold and conform allot easier than standard fabric.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 Styrofoam brand ball
• 1 Styrofoam brand block
• 1 12 inch section of ½ inch cotton rope or tube
• 1 12 inch piece fop ½ inch wood dowel
• barge cement or tacky glue
• ping pong balls for eyes

1. 
   puppet assembled

   Begin with the body block. Work a hole that goes through from one side to the other side. And goes from top to bottom.
   Thread rope through and spot glue when each arm length is equal.

2. Stain and seal the dowel. Let dry completely before continuing.

3. Make a small hole in the bottom angle of the egg, with point down for chin. Insert the dowel into head and spot glue the neck into block area and the neck into head area.
   Insert the finished dowel into block and make sure only a small part for the neck sticks up and the rest is the handle.

4. 
   finished puppet

   Cut two hands out and make a hole in the hand. Insert the rope into hand and spot glue in place.
   Make small holes in the side of the hands and insert the narrow rod into the spot at an angle.

5. 
   My dolly original idea

   Now you can dress the puppet as you like.

Tips & Warnings

• Before inserting teh rods you can cover the Styrofoam with Gesso and fleshtone paint for dol like detial. Or cover with glue and fur or felt.
• You can add legs to this doll by making tube legs and sewing them to any body covering or costume. Rope and styrofoam feet can be added to the block body.