Hand Puppets With A Dragonian Twist

If I don't have felt, craft foam, googly eyes, or a sock, what can I use instead?

Trace and cut scales from colored paper or an old cereal box instead of felt or foam, use drawn eyes with a marker or buttons if you don't have googly eyes, and use a paper bag in place of a sock as the puppet base.

What should I do if the scales won't stick to the sock or the wings keep falling off?

Use fabric glue or a hot glue gun with an adult nearby for better adhesion when you 'glue the scales onto the sock' and secure wings with tape on top of glue or small stitches through the cardboard and sock as you 'attach the wings to the sides or back of the puppet.'

How can I change this activity for younger or older children?

For toddlers, use a paper bag, pre-cut scales and glue dots and have an adult glue wings and flames, while older kids can cut foam scales themselves, decorate wings with paint and markers, and add button joints or sewn details for movable parts.

How can we make the dragon puppet more unique or advanced once it's finished?

Personalize by painting or adding glitter to the felt/foam scales before you 'glue the scales' in place, attach a ribbon or cardstock tail to the back, replace googly eyes with sewn-on buttons, and expand the short dragon story into a mini-play to share on DIY.org.