Play Basket
Marionette String Puppets Basket
Simple wooden-bar marionettes that teach little hands the magic of pulling strings to bring a character alive.
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I have a soft spot for marionettes. There is something about a little doll suddenly lifting its arm because you tilted two sticks that makes everyone at the table go quiet and lean in.
The first time we tried it, our puppet mostly flopped, tangled and fell over, and we laughed so hard we had to start again. By the third try it was walking, waving and taking very serious bows. It is a slow, patient kind of play, and that is exactly why I love it.
What you'll need
- 2 craft sticks per puppet, laid one on top of the other in a cross and fixed with hot glue
- A small fabric doll, wooden peg doll, or paper cutout figure. If you want to use the same doll I used, this is the one
- Thin cotton string
- Scissors and strong tape
- A fine black marker for a simple face: two dots for eyes and a half circle smile
- A low table edge to perform from
- Prefer a ready made puppet and just want to jump into the show and practice? You can buy this one
How to make it
- 1
Lay one craft stick on top of the other in a cross and fix them with hot glue (grown up job). Let it cool: this is the control bar.
- 2
Draw a simple face on the doll: two dots for eyes and a half circle for a smile.
- 3
Cut four pieces of cotton string, each about 30 cm long.
- 4
Tie one string to each hand and one to each foot of the doll.
- 5
Tie the other ends to the four tips of the control bar: one hand to one tip, the other hand to the opposite tip, and each foot to one of the remaining tips.
- 6
Show your child how to hold the bar in the middle and tilt it gently to make the puppet walk, wave, and bow.
- 7
Turn on some music and let the marionette dance across a table stage.
Tip
Start with just two strings (the hands) for younger kids. Add the feet strings as they get comfortable.
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