@The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Puppet masters

Create and experiment with puppets made out of paper!

Student drama resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 3 to 6 drama

What will I learn?

You will:

  • explore different types of puppets

  • create a puppet out of paper

  • experiment with movement to bring your puppet to life

  • perform with your puppet.

Before you begin

For the lesson, you will need:

  • paper and a pencil

  • a device to record your performance (for example, a tablet, mobile phone or computer).

For the puppet, you will need:

  • a piece of paper (A4 size works best)

  • a pair of scissors

  • sticky tape.

  1. Explore

A person who controls a puppet is called a puppeteer. A puppeteer makes inanimate objects (non-living things) look like they are alive.

Watch the video from the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. They are a theatre company from Western Australia who create and perform imaginative plays using puppets.

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre – About us

Duration: 01:55

View different types of puppets by swiping through the gallery.

Watch the video to see different puppets that have been created by the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.

Identify at least 3 different types of puppets that you can see in the video. Describe some of the different materials that have been used.

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre – Highlight reel

Duration: 01:43

2. Create

It’s time to create your own puppet!

First, collect the materials for your puppet: an A4 piece of paper, scissors and sticky tape.

Next, follow along with the video as Genevieve shows you how to create a puppet out of paper.

Paper puppet template

Paper Puppet Template - The Arts Unit@home Puppet Masters.pdf

Students from Goulburn West Public School enjoyed completing this Creative Class and making paper puppets.

Check out their creations!

Class of students holding their paper puppets.
Boy with paper puppet on his shoulder
2 students showing their paper puppets
2 students showing their paper puppets
2 girls with paper puppets on their heads.

3. Experiment

Experiment with movements to make your puppet appear alive!

Watch the video and follow the instructions on how to move your paper puppet so it appears alive.

Experiment with your puppet

Duration: 03:36
Large puppet of a tree in brown colouring. Student inside puppet. Set on stage at Schools Spectacular.
People puppet from Schools Spectacular 2017Photo credit: Anna Warr

4. Perform

Perform with your puppet!

First, make sure you watch the video to learn how to perform with your paper puppet.

Performing with your puppet

Duration: 04:26
Fish puppet performing in Schools Spectacular. Student is inside fish puppet.
People puppet from Schools Spectacular 2019Photo credit: Anna Warr

Scenarios for performance

Scenarios for performance for paper puppets.docx

Performance planning sheet

Performance planning for paper puppets.docx

Don’t forget to rehearse! Once you are happy with your performance, you can perform with your puppet in front of an audience.

If you can, make sure you record your performance to share with others


Extension activty

You might like to create other types of puppets to add to your performance. You could try finger puppets, shadow puppets, hand puppets or stick puppets!

Well done puppet master!

We hope you enjoyed creating your own puppet and becoming a puppeteer!

You have completed this @The Arts Unit Creative Class.

You might like to explore more of our @The Arts Unit Creative Classes:







ME3PO - Creative arts with aliens - Years 3-6 drama, music and visual arts
Boy - Year 3 and 4 drama
Join the circus - Years 3-6 dance, drama, PDHPE
Acting like animals! - Years 3 and 4 drama
Spectacular choralography - K-6 music
Puppet masters - Years 3 to 6 drama
Disco dancing - K-6 dance

Third-party content attributions

  • Schools Spectacular puppet images 1, 2, & 3, photographer: Anna Warr. © Puppets created by John Deacon.

  • Marionette puppet - Skills Development Workshop, 2019, photographer: Fiona Wolf, Wolfwerk Photography.

  • Sock puppet -Skills Development Workshop,2019, photographer: Fiona Wolf, Wolfwerk Photography.