Sock puppets are easy to make and kids will enjoy hours of play with their creations. You can fill an afternoon crafting animals or Muppet people using your single leftover socks.
Start with a clean sock. Any color or size will do, but adult sizes are easiest for kids to put on their hand. Show your child how to make a C shape with their thumb on the bottom to make an expressive mouth. Putting the heel in back usually creates the best puppet.
Make hair. Braids can be made from 12-inch strands of yarn bundled together. Using multiple colors creates a very fun looking braid. Rubber bands can be used to hold the middle and assist with the braiding process. Tie little bows on the ends to keep the braid intact. This child’s attention span was limited to one braid. More can always be added later if desired.
Have your child sew the braid onto the top of the sock. Sewing helps develop hand eye coordination for young children. Double the thread and tie a knot at the end to keep the needle secure. Show the child how to make the first loop and tie it so they can make their stitches successfully. Their hand needs to be in the puppet to prevent the front from being sewed to the back.
Create straight hair by bundling strands of yarn. Tie the bundles in the middle. Short bundles can create bangs.
Your child can sew the hair bundles onto the sock puppet. This young child used a crewel needle, as she is new to sewing. They are a little thicker and blunted on the tip. Cheer their successes; the stitches don’t have to be perfect to keep the hair on the puppet. Art crafts are about the experience!
Put the puppet on their hand to decide where to draw the mouth. Use a sharpie pen for a quick and easy mouth.
Glue wiggly eyes on and draw eyelashes with the sharpie. Felt, puffballs, or pipe cleaners can also be used to decorate your puppet. For best results use a quality craft glue that will dry quickly.
Accessorize your sock puppet with earrings, necklaces, and barrettes if desired. Aren’t they stylish!
Tips:
Sock puppets are a great group craft. Stage a play when dry for hours of fun!
This is a great activity to entertain children at a reunion, picnic or camping trip.
Puppets can be spot cleaned by hand if needed. Sharpie is color fast, but felt is not. Yarn can easily be held out of the way to wash the body of the puppet.
Avoid wiggly eyes if toddlers or a pet might chew on the puppet. You can simply draw eyes with a sharpie.
