Do your kids have billions of old stuffed animals that don't do much besides lie in piles and gather dust? Here's a fun project to give them new creative life. Turn them into puppets!
This project works best with stuffed animals that are medium sized -- big enough for kids to put their hands inside but not too big to handle. Luckily, this is the size that most kids have a plethora of and generally aren't too attached to.
There are three ways to do this, depending on how "finished" you want the puppets. We do the easiest way.
The easiest way:
1. Cut a horizontal slit in the back of an unwanted stuffed animal, wide enough for kids to insert their hands.
2. Remove the fluff (save it for another use if you like, like making handmade pillows or pincushions for gifts). Generally, the heads will be sewn separately and some parts like hands and feet may also be separately stuffed. Leave these stuffed if you like.
3. That's it! Show kids how to put their hands in and use them as puppets. They can usually slip one finger in each arm to wave them around too.
The almost as easy version:
Do the above steps but finish the raw edges so they don't unravel (which has never really been a problem for us).
The nearly almost as easy version:
1. Cut straight across the stuffed animal at the "belly" area.
2. Take out all of the stuffing.
3. Hem on the sewing machine. This makes your classic hand puppet.
No matter how you make them, these are easy frugal fun. Another advantage is that they take up less room this way. Best of all, they make for all sorts of creative play!
See also:
Ten ways to store, use and display your children's artwork
High chair busywork for babies and toddlers
10 Ways to play with your baby today
The Singing Game is easy fun for toddlers and preschoolers
25 Fun things dads can do with kids
Comments
Alicia, what a great idea! And yes, it is very frugal:-) Thanks for sharing a way to give those old cast-offs a new life!
Richmond Frugal Family Examiner.
Wonderful idea. I like the fact that you are giving something a second life and you are interacting with your kids. This shows kids that you don't need to throw things away.
What a great idea am sure my grandchildren will love this have a couple dozen stuffed animals around the house.
Lansing Children’s Books Examiner
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