How to Make a Dancing Finger Puppet

There's probably not a person on Earth under the age of 5 who has not pretended to "walk" their fingers across a surface. In fact, it's so common, the Yellow Pages has based its entire public relations campaign on it.

This puppet, with its creative use of well-placed finger holes, adds new and even comic meaning to the phrase "Let your fingers do the walking."

Things You'll Need

• Card stock Markers Scissors Beads, sequins, feathers, other embellishments (optional) Glue (optional)

Instructions

Dancing Finer Puppet

1. 

   The first step is to determine what type of figure you want your puppet to assume. Dancers and athletes are cute, but any figure becomes irresistible when animated. To remain in proportion with adult fingers, the body of the character should be about 4 inches. Draw the character from the head down to about mid-thigh. (See the diagram for an example.)

2. The easiest way to make correctly sized finger holes is to trace around rings that comfortably fit the index and middle fingers. Trace the holes just slightly larger to make it easy to insert and remove fingers. Without a ring as a guide, pennies can be used to get a good approximate size. Remember not to make the holes too large, or the puppet will be too loose on the fingers. Holes can always be enlarged later if the fit is too tight. Be sure to leave roughly a half inch to three-quarters of an inch between the holes. You can reinforce this area with clear tape to avoid future tears. Begin the cut by gently piercing the circular area with the point of the scissors. Cut slowly to make as round a shape as possible.

3. Once the finger holes are cut out, decorate your puppet. Be creative when coloring and decorating your character. Don't be limited to crayons and markers---using beads, feathers, puffy paint and stickers adds to the personality of the finished finger puppet.

4. Let any glue or paints dry. To use the puppet, slip your index and middle fingers through the finger holes. Now is the time to make any adjustments to the sizes of the holes. If they're made correctly, the holes will allow enough of your finger through so that your large knuckles look like knees but will remain snug enough to allow the puppet to "walk" without falling off.

5. Accessorize the puppet by making shoes. Wrap a small strip of paper---about a half inch by 1 inch---around the fingertips of the index and middle fingers. Tape the strip closed so that it fits snugly around the tip of the finger.

Tips & Warnings

• Try making storybook characters, as well as ballet dancers, flamenco dancers, and Scottish and Irish jig dancers. Soccer players and football players in a favorite team's colors also make good choices for these animated puppets.