Paper Bag Monster Puppets

What you need

• Paper bag, 1 per child
• Crayons or markers, a handful of markers
• Paper, 2-3 sheets
• Glue stick, 1
• Yarn, a few short pieces
• Kid scissors, 1 pair, for the grown-up
• Towel, 1 damp towel

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Set out one paper lunch bag per child, markers, a few sheets of paper and a glue stick. Cut the yarn into short pieces (about a hand's length) so there are no long strands, and keep the rest of the ball out of reach. Lay down some scrap paper, since markers can stain. Stay close by, especially with younger kids: watch the yarn, make sure paper scraps and the glue stick stay out of mouths, and keep the monsters silly rather than scary.

1. Lay the bag flat with the bottom flap on top. That's the mouth!
2. Tear or fold paper into pointy triangles to make monster teeth.
   Ask: Will your monster have big chompy teeth, tiny teeth, or just one wobbly tooth?
3. Rub glue on the teeth and stick them along the edge of the flap.
4. Draw big googly eyes above the flap. Add eyebrows, spots or stripes too.
   Ask: Is your monster surprised, sleepy or super happy? How can the eyes show that?
5. Glue short pieces of yarn to the top of the bag for crazy hair. Ask for help if you need it
6. Wash your hands, then give your monster a name.
7. Slide your hand inside with your fingers in the flap, then open and close it.
8. Put on a gentle puppet show. Is your monster shy, lost or lonely?
   Ask: What happens at the end of the story? Does your monster make a new friend?
9. Now show your family, or make more! What will your next monster look like?

Play it again

• Monster chat: two puppets meet and have a silly conversation, taking turns to talk.
• Feelings show: your monster acts out happy, sleepy, surprised or shy, and everyone guesses the feeling.
• Monster family: make a baby monster or a friend monster and put on a show about them.