How to Make Rice Paddle Puppets

Making rice paddle puppets is a fun craft for kids and adults alike. Performing with puppets is a wonderful way for children to express themselves and these rice paddle puppets can be created with a minimum investment of time and money. Exercising a child's imagination is an important part of this particular craft; the results can be priceless.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rice paddles
• Craft paint & brush
• Felt
• Rick rack and assorted trim
• Beads
• Google eyes
• 2mm foam sheet - black
• pencil
• Hot glue gun

1. 

   Make a basic face for the rice paddle puppet by hot gluing the google eyes into place. Add a mouth cut from felt or use 2mm foam sheeting and glue this to the front of the rice paddle. Paint pink circles for cheeks, and two small black dots to represent the nose.

2. 

   Decide what type of hair the rice paddle puppet should have. Hot glue felt or rick rack over the rounded top of the rice paddle. Roll the felt strips and hot glue to make curls if desired. Note that painted hair is another option when making rice paddle puppets.

3. 

   Make the faces expressive to give each rice paddle puppet it's own personality. Paint eyebrows and/or eyelashes for even more expression.
   
   Add accessories such as the black tie on the male puppet. Make this by cutting a tie shape from a piece of black 2mm foam sheeting. Use the eraser end of a pencil dipped in white craft paint to make the polka dots on the tie.

4. 

   Position tiny red glass beads near the female rice paddle puppets' mouths to make beauty marks. Glue beads on the puppet to make a necklace and/or earrings to complete the look.
   
   Use your imagination when making rice paddle puppets. Look at home before purchasing supplies. Substitute plain buttons for eyes, for example, and use leftover yarn or bent pipe cleaners to make the puppet's hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wooden or inexpensive plastic spoons instead of the rice paddles if this is what you already have at home.
• Elongate the rice paddle puppet by hot gluing a popsicle stick onto the back of the paddle if desired.
• Always use adult supervision while working with a hot glue gun.
• This craft is not intended for any child under the age of 3. It is strictly for older children.

[e-Rambler]

on 11/9/2009 How clever. Who knew (me!) that rice paddles can be used in such crafty way; thanks for the instructions.

[sonni57]

on 11/9/2009 Rice paddle puppets sound like a great project for the kids and me thanks for the fun article and great pics.

[goodselfme]

on 11/7/2009 I like your craft idea to make rice paddle puppets. TX for your great detail to put them together so easily.