Celebrate Reptile Tuesdays with Tweety the Mod!
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Create a paper reptile puppet with moving parts, learn fun reptile facts from Tweety the Mod, and safely observe nature nearby.

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Step-by-step guide to make a paper reptile puppet with moving parts

What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials like crayons markers or coloured pencils, hole punch or thick needle for making small holes with adult help, paper fasteners or brads, pencil, scissors, sturdy paper or paper plate, tape or glue, tweety the mod fact cards or a grown up to read reptile facts

Step 1

Gather all your materials and set them on a clear table so you can reach everything easily.

Step 2

Draw a simple reptile body and separate parts like head tail and legs on your paper.

Step 3

Cut out the body and each part carefully using scissors.

Step 4

Colour and decorate the body and parts with patterns and colours you love.

Step 5

Mark small dots where each moving joint should connect on the body and the parts.

Step 6

With an adult's help make small holes at the dots using a hole punch or thick needle.

Step 7

Attach the parts to the body using paper fasteners so the pieces can move.

Step 8

Add a little tape or glue to any weak spots to make your puppet stronger.

Step 9

Gently move the puppet parts to test how your reptile can wiggle and bend.

Step 10

Ask a grown up to show or read Tweety the Mod reptile facts and listen to at least three fun ideas.

Step 11

Ask your grown up to take you to a nearby safe spot to observe nature.

Step 12

Quietly look for reptiles or signs of reptiles while keeping a safe distance and do not touch any animals.

Step 13

Draw or write one neat thing you noticed about nature or reptiles on a scrap of paper.

Step 14

Share your finished reptile puppet on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a hole punch or thick needle?

If you don't have a hole punch or thick needle, an adult can carefully use a straightened paperclip or thumbtack to make the holes and secure moving joints with small strips of sturdy tape instead of paper fasteners.

My puppet's joints are either too loose or ripping—how do I fix that?

If the puppet parts tear or the joints are too loose after you 'Attach the parts to the body using paper fasteners,' reinforce torn areas with a small piece of clear tape or glue and add a tiny paper washer made from a punched scrap around the fastener to keep movement smooth.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For younger children, have an adult pre-cut the body and parts and make the holes while using large paper fasteners or tape for joints, and for older kids, encourage cutting from cardboard, adding extra joint dots, and decorating with detailed patterns or movable eyes.

What are simple ways to extend or personalize the reptile puppet?

To enhance the activity, attach strings to the paper fasteners to make a hand-controlled marionette, add laminated scales and googly eyes for texture, and create a small habitat backdrop to display when you 'Share your finished reptile puppet on DIY.org'.

Watch videos on how to make a paper reptile puppet with moving parts

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Looney Tuesdays | Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Tweety | Looney Tunes | @WB Kids

4 Videos

Facts about reptiles for kids

✂️ Papercraft can create moving parts for puppets using simple tools like brads, tabs, and folded mechanisms.

🎭 Puppetry is one of the world's oldest performance arts, with roots in ancient Egypt, Greece, and India.

🌡️ Reptiles are ectotherms — they rely on environmental heat (like sunbathing) to regulate body temperature.

🦎 Some lizards can detach their tails (autotomy) to escape predators and later regrow them.

🐢 Turtles have existed for over 200 million years — older than many groups of dinosaurs.

How do we make a paper reptile puppet with moving parts and use Tweety the Mod for fun facts and outdoor observation?

Start by tracing a reptile template onto cardstock and cutting out body parts. Punch small holes where joints should be and join sections using brads so the legs and tail move. Decorate with markers, googly eyes, and scales. Have Tweety the Mod share one fun reptile fact for each puppet detail you add. Finish by taking your puppet outdoors to safely observe reptiles from a distance and record what you notice in a nature journal.

What materials do I need to create the reptile puppet and safely observe nature for Reptile Tuesdays?

You’ll need sturdy paper or cardstock, scissors, a hole punch, brass brads or split pins, glue, markers or paints, googly eyes and optional craft sticks for handles. For outdoor observation bring a small notebook, pencil, magnifying glass, binoculars, comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen and an adult to supervise. Keep supplies simple and check local rules before exploring parks or natural areas.

What ages is 'Celebrate Reptile Tuesdays with Tweety the Mod' suitable for?

This activity fits preschoolers through tweens. Ages 4–6 enjoy decorating and simple pre-cut moving parts with adult help; ages 7–10 can cut shapes, assemble brad joints, and follow Tweety’s facts independently. Older kids (11+) can design complex puppets, research local reptile species, and lead safe outdoor observations. Adapt tasks to skill level and always supervise scissors, small parts and outdoor exploration.

What safety tips should parents teach kids for making puppets and observing reptiles outdoors?

Safety first: never touch or chase wild reptiles. Observe from a safe distance, use binoculars or a zoom camera, and stay on trails. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, sunscreen and insect repellent. Always have an adult present and a charged phone, and teach children to identify dangerous species in your area. If you find an injured reptile, contact local wildlife rescue instead of handling it yourself.
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