Are you looking for an easy craft project that will help to keep your preschoolers busy? Do you have a few egg cartons and some basic art supplies already on hand? If so, you may want to consider using those items to create an alligator hand puppet. In my experience, it takes roughly two hours to make the puppet. Here’s how to do it:
Supplies Needed
In order to complete this project, you will need a roll of clear duct tape, acrylic paints, a set of paint brushes, a hot glue gun and clear glue sticks. You’ll also need a pair of scissors and two egg cartons. As far as the egg cartons go, you could use ones made with Styrofoam or cardboard. Personally, I would recommend using the cardboard ones because the paint tends to stick to them better than the other ones. If you can’t find cardboard egg cartons at your local grocery store, there are some feed, supply and produce stores that carry them. One such company is Kruse Feed & Supply.
Prepare the Materials
Begin the project by gluing the egg cartons shut. Once the glue has dried, cut the last pair of cups off of each carton. Then set them aside. One of them will eventually be transformed into the alligator’s eyes. I should also mention that the opening created by removing the cups is where your hand will go when you are ready to use the puppet.
Next, paint the egg cartons as desired. Just keep in mind that the cups on each of the large egg cartons will represent the alligator’s teeth. The cups on the removed section of carton will be its eyeballs. Therefore, I’d suggest painting all of the cups white and the rest of the container green. Of course you could opt to paint your alligator a fanciful color. Once you are done decorating your creation, allow the paint to dry before proceeding.
Assemble the Materials
After the paint has dried, glue the alligator’s eyes on top of one of the cartons. Next, flip the other carton upside down so the cups are facing up. Then put the carton with the eyes on top of it. Keep going by using the clear duct tape to create two hinges. One hinge should go on one side of the carton just below the gator’s eyes. The other hinge should go on the other side of the carton in the same area. The hinges will allow you to open and close the gator’s mouth. Once you are done adding the hinges, your puppet will be ready for use.
Suggested Operation
The puppet is typically operated with just one hand. Simply slide your thumb into the carton’s bottom opening and the rest of your fingers into its top opening. Then open and close your hand. Doing so will make the alligator’s mouth up and down.
Source: Personal Experience
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