by Dianne on December 8, 2008
Santa Mail - 12-7-08
Christmas Activity: Santa Mail
My family celebrates Christmas. During the holidays, we send each other “Santa Mail.” We have a big mail box into which we stuff our notes to each other. We know when there is mail because a small tag hangs from the front of the mailbox that says, for example, “Santa Mail for Eliana.” It’s a fun way to communicate with each other, spread the holiday spirit, and practice writing skills!
Eliana's Santa Mail Angel for Mommy - 12-7-08
by dlcasas on November 17, 2008
Presentation Board Puppet Theater - 11-16-08
Presentation Board Puppet Theater
Presentation boards can be found at any super center or office supply store. Find one in your favorite color. The science board can be decorated in any fashion you wish. Just set it up on the floor and you (or your children) can puppeteer from behind the board.
Happy Tales to You! Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
by dlcasas on November 17, 2008
Shoebox Puppet Theater - 11-15-08
Shoebox Puppet Theater
Sit the shoebox on its side and cut off the top. Decorate the front with a scene. Use small plastic spoon puppets or finger puppets. Another way to create a shoebox puppet theater is by creating a “diorama,” decorating the inside of the shoebox. The hand will be visible as the puppets are maneuvered but children don’t mind. They love creating the scene inside the shoebox.
Happy Tales to you! Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
by dlcasas on November 17, 2008
Dianne de Las Casas with a lap top box puppet theater - 11-16-08
Lap Top Box Puppet Theater
I learned this method from a school librarian in Houston when I lived there after Katrina. Take a box large enough to sit comfortably on your lap. Cut off the top and the back of the box leaving only the bottom, two sides, and the front. Decorate the front of the box to create any scene you wish. I created a meadow with grass and flowers. The puppets, props, and even a script can sit inside the box until you are ready to use them. It’s simple and ingenious.
Check out “behind the scenes” in this lap top box puppet theater.
Lap Top Box Puppet Theater Backside - 11-16-08
Happy Tales to You! Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
by dlcasas on November 17, 2008
Lucky the Puppy Stuffed Animal Puppet - 11-16-08
Stuffed Animal Puppets
Old or thrift store stuffed animals can easily be turned into puppets. Make a small slit in the back of the animal, pull out some of the stuffing, and sew a sock into the inside of the animal to slip your hand inside. Instant puppet!
Above, you see Lucky the Puppy. He was a free stuffed animal caught at a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Orleans. I removed some of his stuffing, inserted a green children’s sock inside him (all the way up to his mouth) and then sewed the sock to the stuffed animal to close the hole. Here is his underside.
Lucky the Puppy Stuffed Animal Puppet Underside - 11-16-08
Happy Tales to You! Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
by dlcasas on November 17, 2008
Butterfly Finger Puppet - 11-16-08
Finger Puppets
Cut the fingers off an old or inexpensive glove and create a finger puppet. Finger puppets are fun for young children who may not have the hand-eye coordination to manipulate a larger puppet. Finger puppets work well with shoebox puppet theaters.
The above finger puppet was made from the index finger cut from a knit glove. Hot glue was applied around the bottom of the finger to prevent fraying. The butterfly is simply made with Foamies foam, a chenille stick, and a craft popsicle stick.
Butterfly Finger Puppet underside - 11-16-08
Happy Tales to You! Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
by dlcasas on November 17, 2008
The Three Litle Pigs Glove Puppet - 11-16-08
Glove Puppets I love making a series of puppets out of a glove. Glove puppets work well with the telling of a classic tale such as “The Three Little Pigs.” Each of the fingers becomes a character – the mama pig, the three little pigs, and of course, the big bad wolf. In the glove puppet above, made with a stretchy men’s work glove, the pinky finger features the Mama Pig with an apron, the ring finger features the first pig with his straw, the middle finger is the second pig with his sticks, the index finger is the third pig with his bricks, and the thumb becomes the Big Bad Wolf complete with a dinner napkin, fork and knife.
“Cinderella” can also be depicted with a glove puppet – the evil stepmother, the two stepsisters, Cinderella, and the handsome prince. Glove puppets work well with younger children. You can even have the children get “hands-on” and create glove puppets of their own. Have a ton of fun!
Happy Tales to You! Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
by Dianne on November 13, 2008
Eliana & Turkey Wooden Spoon Puppet 11-12-08
Turkey Wooden Spoon Puppet
Supplies:
Large wooden spoon
Construction paper (for feathers, beak and wattle)
Scissors
Glue gun
Large googly eyes
Markers
Directions:
Color the flat side of a large wooden spoon with a brown marker. Color slightly down the handle for the turkey’s neck. On four different colored sheets of construction paper (yellow, orange, red, brown, cream, green… fall colors), trace a child’s hand. Cut out each hand and layer them on top of each other, creating feathers. Staple them together. Glue the feather to the wooden spoon (should be glued to the curved side of the spoon). Glue two googly eyes on the flat side of the wooden spoon. Underneath the eyes, glue an orange construction paper triangle for the beak. Beneath that, glue a red construction paper wattle. Cut a small 1/2 inch strip of yellow construction paper to create a collar (this will separate the turkey’s neck from the rest of the wooden handle of the spoon). Done! Now you have a simple Gobbler puppet that can be used for Thanksgivings to come. You can even have the children make their own turkeys and stick them in Styrofoam, in a vase or bowl, creating a Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Gobble! Gobble!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
by Dianne on October 18, 2008
Wrapping Mummy Roll Craft - October 18, 2008
Wrappin’ Mummy Roll Craft
Supplies:
1 tissue paper roll
Old t-shirt ripped into 1 inch strips or gauze
Pot of old coffee
Large googly eyes
Hot glue
Directions:
To make the t-shirt or gauze look old, soak it in the coffee for 10-20 minutes. Allow to dry. Gluing one end down, wrap a foot long strip around the tissue paper roll. Glue the final end down. Glue large googly eyes to your mummy. Now you have a wrappin’ mummy roll!
by Dianne on October 17, 2008
Batty Sock Bat Craft - October 17, 2008
Batty Sock Bat Craft
Supplies:
New sock
Fiberfill stuffing
1 large sheet of foam matching the color of sock
1 Red chenille stick
1 chenille stick in a color matching the sock
Two medium size Googly Eyes
White cardstock or index card
Hot glue
Directions:
Stuff one sock with fiberfill about 3/4 full. Tie the end of the sock closed with a matching chenille stick, leaving a long piece to use as a hanger. Cut wings and ears out of foam and hot glue to the body. Glue on Googly Eyes. Cut a small piece of red chenille stick to create a mouth. Cut two sharp fangs out of cardstock or index card. Glue to body. When complete, hang upside down in front of a window. This is a great craft to go with the book, Bats at the Library!
