Marionette Instructions
Marionettes are puppets that are moved about with strings attaching the hands, feet and other body parts to a control bar held above the puppet. These puppets are used both as children's toys and as theatrical pieces. Marionette theater was popular in early 20th century Europe and America. Perhaps one of the best-known marionette puppets is the fairy tale character Pinocchio, who sheds his strings when he comes to life. Simple marionettes can be made with basic craft supplies, allowing children to put on their own marionette theaters at home.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Cardboard
- Hole punch
- Yarn
- 3 popsicle sticks
- Masking tape
- Needle
- Thread
Instructions
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1
Draw the body and head of your marionette character onto a piece of plain paper. Your character can be any type of person or animal you like. Typically, the character will be standing upright with its hands to either side, and feet extended below.
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2
Draw two hands and two feet for your puppet. Do not add arms or legs, as these will be made from yarn.
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3
Cut out the body, hands and feet shapes. Trace these shapes onto thin cardboard, and cut out the cardboard pieces.
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4
Punch a hole in the base of each hand and at the end of each foot. Punch corresponding holes in the body of your character, where the legs and arms will be attached.
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5
Decorate the body, hands and feet. Cover the pieces in colored paper, painting or coloring directly on the cardboard or pasting fabric onto the various body parts. Leave the holes uncovered, or punch corresponding holes into the paper or fabric used to cover them.
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6
Tie a thick piece of yarn, approximately 5 inches long, to each leg hole. Tie the opposite ends of these yarn pieces to the feet. Repeat with the hands and arm holes.
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7
Tape three popsicle sticks together in the shape of an H by winding masking tape around the joints until secure.
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8
Thread a needle with white thread. Poke the needle through the top of the puppet's head and secure with a knot. Extend the thread about 6 inches, and tape the opposite end to the center of the H-shaped handle. The four corners of the H, created by the ends of the two parallel pieces, will be used for the hands and feet.
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9
Attach the hands to opposite ends of one of the parallel pieces of the handle. Attach the feet to opposite ends of the second piece. The thread used for the hands should be about 17 inches long. Thread for the legs should be about 22 inches long. Hold the puppet up by the handle and adjust the thread for these extremities until they hang in a comfortable, relaxed position when the handle piece is held level.
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10
Move your finished marionette puppet by lifting various points of the handle to manipulate the body parts of the puppet. Rocking the handle back and forth will cause it to walk. Lifting one end of the handle will cause it to raise its arms.
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References
- Photo Credit puppet and a pencils image by Galaiko Sergey from Fotolia.com
