Make Your Cartoon Talk
Make a paper or sock cartoon puppet with a movable mouth, then use your voice or simple recordings to make it talk and perform.
Step-by-step guide to make your cartoon talk
Step 1
Pick whether you want to make a sock puppet or a paper-cup puppet and lay your chosen base on the table.
Step 2
Cut two matching jaw shapes from cardboard about the size of your palm.
Step 3
Tape the back edges of the two cardboard pieces together to make a hinge so the mouth can open and close.
Step 4
Glue colored paper or decorate the outside of both jaw pieces to make the mouth look bright and fun.
Step 5
Cut a small tongue shape from colored paper and glue it to the inside center of the lower jaw.
Step 6
Slide the hinged jaw into the sock or push it into the paper cup so the hinge sits where your fingers will go.
Step 7
Tape or glue the back hinge securely to the inside of the sock or cup so the jaw stays in place when you move your hand.
Step 8
Attach googly eyes or buttons and any other face pieces to the outside of the puppet using glue or tape.
Step 9
Use your coloring materials to draw hair eyebrows and costume details on the puppet.
Step 10
Put your hand into the puppet and practice opening and closing the mouth while you move the head around.
Step 11
Make a character voice using your own voice or a simple recording and rehearse a short scene for your puppet.
Step 12
Share your finished puppet and a photo or video of your performance on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of a sock, cardboard, or googly eyes if we don't have them?
Use an old glove, mitten, or paper bag instead of a sock, a cereal-box or folded cardstock piece instead of cardboard for the palm-sized jaws, and buttons, punched paper circles, or stickers in place of googly eyes when attaching face pieces with glue or tape.
Why won't the mouth open smoothly or stay in the sock or cup, and how can we fix it?
If the hinged jaw is stiff or slips out, trim the cardboard jaw pieces to a slightly smaller palm size, reinforce the tape hinge with extra strong tape or a dab of glue, and be sure to tape or glue the back hinge securely to the inside of the sock or cup so the jaw stays in place when you move your hand.
How can I change the activity for different ages so it's safe and fun for little kids and challenging for older ones?
For ages 3–5 have an adult pre-cut the two jaw pieces and use a paper cup base with glue dots and large buttons for eyes, for 6–9 let kids cut the cardboard and decorate with colored paper and glue, and for 10+ challenge them to design costume details, create a character voice, record a short scene, and rehearse the puppet performance to share on DIY.org.
What are some creative ways to personalize or upgrade the puppet after decorating and adding a tongue?
After gluing the tongue and attaching eyes, personalize the puppet by adding felt or fabric costumes glued to the outside, sewing on yarn hair or a hat, drawing unique eyebrows and costume details with coloring materials, or recording and syncing a longer character voice to film a performance for DIY.org.
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Facts about puppetry for kids
🎤 Jim Henson started making puppets as a teen and later created the Muppets, changing how puppets connect with TV audiences.
🎭 Puppetry is ancient: carved and clay puppets were used in performances over 3,000 years ago in many cultures.
🧵 Simple movable puppet mouths can be built from cardboard, felt, and a hinge made from tape or glue — no fancy tools required.
🧦 Sock puppets are one of the easiest DIY puppets — with just a sock, buttons, and glue you can make a character ready to perform.
🗣️ Ventriloquists popularized the art of 'throwing' their voice in the 19th century so a puppet seems to speak without lip movement.
How do I make a paper or sock cartoon puppet with a movable mouth and make it talk?
What materials do I need to make a talking cartoon puppet?
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What are the benefits of making and performing with a talking puppet?
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