Using Free Puppet Patterns With Your Kids
What is better on a lazy rainy day when you are all cooped up with the kids inside when they are 'bored'? Get them involved in an all day puppet making project!
Kids really love to make things, don't they?
And they love play make-believe, too.
Why not combine both of these favorite past times into one activity.
All it takes is
- some common everyday household junk, and maybe
- a free puppet pattern or two.
Finding the free puppet patterns is easy, really. Perform a Google search for “free puppet patterns squidoo” to find some of the best directories, with reviews, of the free puppet patterns on the internet. Be careful, here. There are many places that have books and kits and patterns for sale, but still come up in a search for 'free puppet paterns'. Many of these are very nice, of course, but not suitable for an afternoon of making puppets.
Now, maybe the first thing to do is to find some appropriate junk around the house that would make for suitable supplies. I've got some good news for you. Actually just two words of news. Ready?
Fandango Puppets. Let me explain.
Fandango is an interesting company that sells event tickets to movies, concerts, et cetera over the internet. They have built a very talked about marketing campaign around puppets. Actually puppets out of paper bags. So, how do you make Fandango Puppets? Easy. Just take all the junk from your junk drawer and glue, tape, staple, or attach it to your favorite lunch bag. To see all the fun you are missing, perform a Google search for “Fandango Puppets Squidoo” (those lens masters have got it together).
So, now you have the ideas, the materials, the supplies, and the kids. Here comes the fun part, of actually creating these new puppet friends for your children. Just remember, that we are not looking to create masterpieces here, but simply new crafts that can be proudly displayed on your refrigerator for the world to see. Allow the kids to take their time and be as creative as possible. Of course a hefty supply of paints, markers, crayons, stickers, can be used, in addition to the 'junk' stuff you've rounded up. Yarn, ribbon, paper, rope, even coat hangers, and play dough can dress up a paper bag puppet into a fabulous work of art!
Of course, puppets were not just meant to be museum pieces. They are best enjoyed when they come alive in the hands of a skilled (or unskilled) puppet master. So how about a puppet show? Or maybe just a fun conversation between you and the puppet, or maybe your puppet and THEIR puppet.
For goodness sakes, at least NAME the puppets you have created. That is the least you can do. So remember when looking for some free puppet patterns, don't plan to make puppet characters that already exist like the Muppets or Harry Potter Puppet Pals, look for ideas that will spark your child's creativity so they can successfully build their own new friends.
When it all comes down to it, the best part for the kids is not the specific free puppet patterns, or the creative self expression, or even the finished puppet. The part they will cherish the most is the quality time spent with you. So have fun.
Jack Sanner is a freelance writer who usually gets his free puppet patterns at http://puppets.bestcheapdiscounts.com/puppet-talk