How To

How to Make Puppets

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(68 Ratings)

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

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

    Setting Up

  1. Step 1

    Blow up a balloon for the head of the puppet.

  2. Step 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. Step 3

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

  4. Step 4

    Set out various buckets.

  5. Step 5

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

  6. Step 6

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

  7. Step 7

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

  8. Adding Details

  9. Step 1

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

  10. Step 2

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

  11. Step 3

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

  12. Step 4

    Let the form dry for 24 to 48 hours.

  13. Step 5

    Paint with acrylic paints.

  14. Step 6

    Attach a wooden stick or strings to manipulate the puppet.

  15. Creating the Puppet

  16. Step 1

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

  17. Step 2

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

  18. Step 3

    Lay the strips evenly on the molded or cutout form.

  19. Step 4

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

  20. Step 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.

Comments  

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 7/14/2006 It takes fewer coats of paint if you use a dark color of paper mache.

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