Posted in Homeschool

Simple Journey Ministries Presents

Mom, I'm Bored!

Making CHEAP Puppets

If you are anything like me, you have seen the TONS of stuffed animals at yard sales and thrift shops. Kids get so excited over these little items and they are cheap. But sometimes us moms have some issues with potential germs. Who knows who had that toy, where it has been, or what liquids have been spilled on it or soaked in! (I am shuddering as I type this!) I have never been a big used stuffed animal person. Not only do I have a germ issue, but where would I ever store all those stuffed animals? But if people don't buy these used toys, they likely will go to the landfill! But there is a way to use these, sanitize them, and have FUN toys CHEAP! Make them into puppets!

Puppets are easy to make from stuffed animals. All you need to do is find an area on the animal (preferably a seam) where you can cut for a hand hole. Once the cut is made, pull out ALL the stuffing and dispose of it. Now get out that Lysol spray! Spray the outside AND inside of the puppetIf there are any areas that need stuffed like the head or legs, simple replace with batting or old socks. (Don't throw those mismatched socks away!) If the fabric around the hole of the puppet looks as if it may tear or fray easily, turn under upt to 1/4 inch and hand sew a hem. This is very quick and easy and need not be picture perfect. Voila! You now have a clean puppet for pennies!

So how CHEAP is this? Well, to make a rock bottom cost let's figure that each stuffed animal costs $.50. If you are using socks for stuffing and a bit of yarn to tack the hand hole, you can safely say that you puppet cost around $.60 at best! Have you looked at the prices of puppets lately? They are NOT inexpensive. A really good looking animal puppet can cost anywhere from $10-$30! THAT is cost prohibitive for a family who wants enough puppets to put on a show!

Puppets are much more easily stored than stuffed animals, because they are more compact. This means you could have a bunch of puppets stored in one plastic tub, resulting in easy and FUN play time as well as quick and easy clean up! Once you ahve some puppets on hand, have your children work on putting together a small play while you are accomplishing a task. Don't count out the eldertons in your brood, because they will have FUN TOO! After you ahve finished your task, let the kids put on a production!!!

If your kids get stumped about skits, suggest they use Bible stories , books they are reading for school, stories they have been told, or experiences they have had. Puppetry can be an EXCELLENT way of narrating a story in a FUN WAY!

That's an activity mom can applaud!

These are my thoughts.