How to Make Puppets

One of the easiest and most malleable media for making puppets is papier-mâché. See "How to Make Papier-Mâché Paste," under Related eHows.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken Wire
• Hobby Paintbrushes
• Elmer's Glue-All
• Styrofoam
• Acrylic Paints
• Thin Wood Dowels
• Waxed Paper
• Worktables
• Flour
• Warm Water
• Old Newspapers
• Paper And Pencils
• Balloons
• Buckets
• String
• X-Acto Knives
• Wire Cutters
• Wire cutters

Instructions

Setting Up

1. Blow up a balloon for the head of the puppet.

2. Cut and mold chicken wire or Styrofoam for the skeleton of your puppet. Remember that you'll be putting down many layers of papier-mâché, so think about the size.

3. Lay down copious amounts of newspaper or waxed paper to protect the area you'll be working in.

4. Set out various buckets.

5. Shred - don't cut - newspaper into thin strips. Have a pile ready before you begin.

6. Mix water with the papier-mâché paste or flour and a small amount of glue in the bucket.

7. Have warm water nearby to thin out the resulting paste throughout your work session.

Adding Details

1. Pop the balloon if you used it to form the head.

2. Build up specific areas of papier-mâché to form facial features.

3. Seal with another layer of papier-mâché all around the form.

4. Let the form dry for 24 to 48 hours.

5. Paint with acrylic paints.

6. Attach a wooden stick or strings to manipulate the puppet.

Creating the Puppet

1. Dunk some of the paper strips into the papier-mâché paste.

2. Do small batches or only a few strips at a time.

3. Lay the strips evenly on the molded or cutout form.

4. Cover the entire form evenly, as opposed to building up specific areas.

5. Let the form dry for 24 to 48 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Working with papier-mâché is extremely messy.

• Children should be supervised when working with chicken wire, wire cutters or knives.