Christmas Finger Puppets and Tissue Box Theatre

The kids just LOVE recyclables- they dive into the bin to make all sorts of creations for play, learning and to give to pals!  This is good for both the earth and their creativity! 

Materials

• Printable Puppets and Background: finger puppet christmas
• Tissue Box (we used the Kleenex brand)
• White paint (we used acrylic for better coverage)
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Cardstock
• Printer paper

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Carefully remove the plastic from the tissue box top window (that helps distribute the kleenex one at a time).

• Have an adult cut off the bottom of your tissue box for you.

• Cover your box in thin layers of paint, allowing them to dry in between (this trick tends to work better and lend to more even coverage than one thick layer).

• Cut out the background and fold the sides.  Put glue on those tabs and the bottom portion and glue it to the back of your tissue box.  There is one with a scene or one to deign yourself!

• Punch two holes in the background one on each side and the lace a piece of yarn through it, the length to go around your neck and the box to sit comfortably at your chest level.

• Cut out your puppets.  There are two options: finger puppets that you wrap around your finger (and glue the tabs together once you can see the correct size for you or ones that you can attach to a pencil top (see the photos below).

• Once your puppets are dry pop the up through the bottom of your tissue box and put on a play!

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Purpose

• Dramatic play opportunities lend to language  and literacy development (interacting with each other, developing ideas, understanding the elements of a story, such as characters, setting, a problem and a solution)

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose. Remove prior to play!