Puppets have been entertaining children and adults alike for literally thousands of years. There are different theories as to when puppetry originated, but everyone seems to agree that it’s been at least 3,000 years that they’ve been in existence! If you’re searching for some fun puppets for kids, we’ve hit the jackpot. We have gathered our favorite DIY puppet crafts for kids that are fun afterward for play. Use these puppets for kids at home or in the classroom.

Puppets for Kids - collage of different puppet crafts for kids like paint stick puppets, paper bag puppets, popsicle stick puppets and finger puppets - Kids Activities Blog
Let’s make puppets today!

Favorite Puppets for Kids You Can Make

There are many different kinds of puppets too. Some puppets are small and fit on a child’s fingers, while others are larger and use the entire hand to animate. You can make them from fabric, socks, paper, felt, sticks and even gloves and mittens. You are going to love this list of puppets for kids to make.

Finger Puppets Kids Can Make

Puppets for Kids: 26 puppet crafts - collage of three finger puppets kids can make
Let’s make finger puppets!

1. Monster Finger Puppets

Monster Finger Puppets don’t have to be scary. They can be super cute! – Create In The Chaos

2. Cute Bunny Finger Puppets


Bunny Finger Puppets are super cute, silly, and great for imaginative play.- I Heart Crafty Things

3. Silly Shape Finger Puppets


Silly Shape Finger Puppets are fun to make, a fun way to explore, and so silly!- Fun Family Crafts

Hand Puppets Kids Can Make

Puppets for Kids: collage of hand puppet crafts for kids including farm animals, bear, shark and bugs
Let’s make hand puppets!

4. Oven Mitt Shark Puppet

Oven Mitt Shark Puppet are so chompy, but fun and easy to make.- Dollar Store Crafts

5. Old McDonald Hand Puppets


Old McDonald Hand Puppets had a farm. E I E I O!-Larissa Another Day

6. Bath Time Hand Puppet


Bath Time Hand Puppet is a great way to make bath time fun and silly!- Things for Boys

Stick Puppets Kids Can Make

Puppets for Kids: stick puppet crafts for kids collage of paint sticks, stir sticks, popsicle sticks and stick puppet crafts
Let’s make stick puppets!

7. Clown Stick Puppets

Paint Stick Clown Puppets are great for anyone who loves goofy clowns. – Kids Activities Blog

8. Children’s Art Stick Puppets


Stick Puppets from Children’s Art is a great way to recycle some of your kids old art.- Kids Activities Blog

9. Spider Stick Puppet


Spider Stick Puppets is a fun way to make the Itsy Bitsy Spider come to life…in a less crawly way.- Kids Craft Room

10. Ninja Turtle Stick Puppets


Ninja Turtle Stick Puppet make me wanna shout “cowabunga”!- One Artsy Mama

Paper Bag Puppets Kids Can Make

Puppets for Kids: collage of paper bag puppets for kids to make including people puppets, pirate puppet, bird puppet and lion puppet
Let’s make paper bag puppets!

11. Classic Paper Bag Puppets

Everyone loves Classic Paper Bag Puppets! – Kids Activities Blog

12. Paper Bag Pirate Puppet


Paper Bag Pirate Puppet are great for imagination play. Arrr walk the plank!- Crafts by Amanda

13. Perry the Platypus Paper Bag Puppet


What do you want to do to day? I want to make a Perry the Platypus Paper Bag Puppet!- Chatting Over Chocolate

14. Paper Bag Lion Puppet


In the jungle the Paper Bag Lion Puppet sleeps! – Meaningful Mama

Sock Puppets Kids Can Make

Puppets for Kids: sock puppet crafts for kids - collage of cat puppet, horse puppet and monster puppet
Let’s make sock puppets!

15. Cat Sock Puppet

Use an old sock to make a cute Cat Sock Puppet! – Thrive Thru

16. Monster Sock Puppet


Oh my! These Monster Sock Puppet are not so scary after all! – Cincy Shopper

17. Horse Sock Puppet


Have a kid that loves horses? Then try making this Horse Sock Puppet. – Red Ted Art

Marionette Puppets Kids Can Make

Puppets for Kids: collage of marionette puppet crafts for kids including dog puppet and bird puppets

18. Cardboard Tube Dog Marionette

This is perfect for pretend play! Love this Cardboard Tube Dog Marionette! – Red Ted Art

19. Leaf Bird Marionette


Learn about different leaves with this Leaf Bird Marionette! – Red Ted Art

Puppet Theaters Kids Can Make

Puppets for Kids: collage of puppet theater crafts for kids including a wild west puppet theater, and other puppet theater with traditional theater decorations
Let’s make our own puppet theater!

20. Full Size Puppet Theater

How cool is this Full Size Puppet Theater? – Skip to My Lou

21. Wild West Puppet Theater


If you love cowboys and cowgirls then you’ll love this Wild West Puppet Theater. – The Country Chic Cottage

22. Doorway Puppet Theater


Save some craft supplies and make a Doorway Puppet Theater! – Skip to My Lou

23. Circus Tent Puppet Theater


Bring out the clowns to star in the center of this Circus Tent Puppet Theater. – Childhood 101

24. Craft Stick Puppet Theater


Craft Stick Puppet Theater is so easy to make! – Crafts by Amanda

25. Medieval Puppet Theater


If you love knights and princesses than this Medieval Puppet Theater is for you.- Fave Crafts

Still want to see more Puppet Ideas?

26. Even More Puppet Ideas

Puppets for Kids: collage of puppet crafts for kids
Oh so many puppets for kids to make!

I’ve collected ANOTHER 26 puppet ideas, all different from the ones above. So be sure to click over for 26 MORE kid’s puppets!

More Puppet Crafts From Kids Activities Blog:



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