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Make a puppet in a week!

Interested in making your own rod puppet at home? Check out our guides below to see how!

Our puppet is inspired by Arran Glass’ reading of Rumpelstiltskin, and we will be providing templates if you would like to follow this design, or you can create any character you like!

This make will be suitable for children ages 5-7 with some adult support, or children (and adults! 8+ working independently).

Please share photos of your shows with us and, with your permission, we will upload them to our gallery. Email your photos to info@littleangeltheatre.com or share them with us on TwitterFacebook or Instagram.

Play Video

Rumpelstiltskin read by Arran Glass

What you will need

The materials you will need to make this puppet are: cardboard, newspaper, tape (ideally masking tape), paper, pencils/felt tip pens, scissors, white craft glue (PVA), glue pot (old jam jar or yoghurt pot), Pritt stick, string, bamboo skewers (at least 2), paint, paintbrushes, anything to decorate: pipe cleaners, pompoms, coloured paper, tissue paper, wool, tin foil, stickers, felt tip pens, etc.

Day One: Designing and making the head

We show you how to plan and design your puppet, and start off by making their head.

You can design your own puppet, or download our template here.

Day Two: Body, hands and feet.

We show you how to make your puppet’s body, hands and feet using paper mache.

Download the worksheet here.

Day Three: Arms, legs and assembly

Today Ellie shows you how to make the arms and legs of your puppet, and assemble all the different pieces together.

Congratulations, you’ve now made a complete puppet! Why not check out our Make a Puppet Show at Home series to get some ideas about planning a story, and making other characters, set and props.

Find out what else you can make, here.