Jumbo Finger Puppet DIY

I made this jumbo-sized finger puppet for a toddler:

This was my inspiration from http://brightappleblossom.blogspot.ca/2013/02/animal-finger-puppet-valentines.html :

I drew an image looking at this picture for guidance, first in pencil, drawing short pencil strokes and re-tracing where I wanted to get it to look more like the original.  I then traced over with sharpie pen, erased the pencil, and colored with either sharpie or crayon based on the colors shown in the original finger puppet.  I used cardboard:  the white inside of a chocolate box!

So, first, draw (pencil is forgiving and allows you to draw and redraw on the same surface until you get it right!) and trace (with sharpie):

...then erase (pencil marks):

... color:

... Cut (I can color over the outer edges because this will be cut off anyway.  I smudged black crayon with a crumpled piece of paper to make this black more uniform.  Alternatively a sharpie can be used for the spots as well):

The udder portion of this step is optional.  I drew in an udder to surround the points where my fingers would go.  I placed my fingers at the base of the cardboard, cut "Cs" around my fingers and cut holes loosely around these "Cs".  I kept cutting and re-shaping until I could fit the last (furthest from my palm) joint of each of my fingers (and thumb) through the holes comfortably.  I then drew an udder, first loosely in pencil, and then tracing over with sharpie as before.  You can cut the holes as you like, no udder required, but I think it adds a nice touch!

This is how the puppet will look:

Here's a glimpse of the chocolate box!  I stick to the inner, non-glossy side.  If you like, you can cover this back, drawing over with sharpie, or placing paper over, tracing the edges (cutting a little bit inside the edge so that it does not show from the front and cover the edge with sharpie) and glue this to the back.  You can also draw on this back once the paper is glued on, either a cow's back, or another animal altogether for a two in one puppet!:

And here is the finished product!  No drawing experience required.  Just be sure to draw single lines with the sharpie to keep the drawing looking clean.  Don't draw with sharpie until you are pleased with your pencil drawing.

This is a simple way to make a cute puppet that will wow the child (/children) in your life!  Make more puppets based on the other drawings in the linked blog, or looking for your creature of choice via a good old google search.  Skip the jumbo puppet and go miniature if you like!  Let me know if you have any questions / comments!

LJR, Kraft Queen