KID-MADE HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT CRAFT STICK PUPPETS

Create spooky trick-or-treat stick puppets with your kids using craft sticks and assorted materials.

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This Halloween craft lets kids design their own puppet characters using craft sticks, foam, beads, and more. They can paint or color the sticks, plan their designs, and glue on decorations for a fun, hands-on activity. The process encourages creativity and fine motor skills.

You'll need

Craft sticks (We suggest the ones the size of tongue depressors)

Glue

Scissors

Creation materials (felt, paper, beads, foam, pom-poms etc. Whatever you have handy and would pique your child(ren)'s interest)

Tweezers (We suggest this for applying the beads)

Paint & paintbrushes (*optional or use multicultural markers, craft foam etc.)

Smock

Craft tray

Directions

Put on your smock to protect your clothes.

If you want painted sticks, do that a day in advance. You can also color them with markers. Let them dry overnight so glue sticks well to the dry surface.

We used leftover multicultural foam faces, but you can draw with markers or crayons. Just note that crayons leave a waxy coating that may make it hard to draw or glue on top.

Before starting, gather supplies in a tray (like a repurposed veggie dip container). Include felt, paper, beads, foam, pom-poms, jewels, glitter, or anything your child loves. Our son also wanted floral wire for treat bag handles. Pre-cut large sheets into smaller, manageable pieces.

Some kids benefit from sketching ideas first. Then cut out and assemble your character using foam, paper, beads, fur, etc. Place the craft stick on the materials to check size; younger kids can trace around the stick for accuracy. Plan and lay out all pieces before gluing so you can rearrange. Once satisfied, glue everything onto the stick.

For tiny items like bead eyes, tweezers help you place them in the glue.