Share a favorite fable, fairy tail, or folk tale
Choose a favorite fable, fairy tale, or folk tale, retell it in your own words, and create simple puppets to perform the story.
About this activity
Choose a favorite fable, fairy tale, or folk tale, retell it in your own words, and create simple puppets to perform the story.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick your favorite fable fairy tale or folk tale to retell.
- 2
Step 2
Read your chosen story carefully so you remember the events.
- 3
Step 3
Write the names of the main characters and the place where the story happens on a piece of paper.
- 4
Step 4
Write a short retelling of the story in your own words with a beginning middle and end in three to six sentences.
- 5
Step 5
Choose two to four characters from your retelling to turn into puppets.
- 6
Step 6
Draw each chosen character on paper as a puppet shape.
- 7
Step 7
Colour your puppet drawings using your colouring materials.
- 8
Step 8
Carefully cut out each coloured puppet shape using scissors.
- 9
Step 9
Attach a popsicle stick or a cardboard handle to the back of each puppet with glue or tape.
- 10
Step 10
Add hair clothes or small details using yarn or fabric scraps and glue them on.
- 11
Step 11
Practice retelling your story aloud while moving the puppets to show what happens.
- 12
Step 12
Put on a short puppet show for someone at home.
- 13
Step 13
Share your finished puppets and your puppet show on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I guide my child to choose, retell, and perform a favorite fable or fairy tale with puppets?
Start by having your child pick a short fable, fairy tale, or folk tale they love. Read it together and talk about the main events and characters. Ask the child to retell the story in their own words, focusing on beginning, middle, and end. Plan simple scenes and make basic puppets (sock, paper bag, or stick puppets). Rehearse lines and movements, then put on a short performance for family or record it.
What materials do I need to make simple puppets and a mini stage for the story performance?
Gather basic craft supplies: paper bags, socks, popsicle sticks, paper, cardstock, markers, crayons, glue, tape, child-safe scissors, and fabric scraps or yarn. Add googly eyes, buttons, or stickers for decoration. For a stage, use a cardboard box, a draped sheet, or a blanket across a table and clothespins to hold curtains. Keep non-toxic supplies and supervise small parts with young children.
What ages is this puppet retelling activity suitable for, and how can I adapt it?
This activity suits a wide range: ages 3–5 enjoy simple puppet play with adult help; ages 5–8 can retell stories in their own words and make basic puppets; ages 8–12 can write short scripts, design more complex puppets, and manage a small production. Adapt by increasing adult support for younger kids, simplifying puppets, or adding stage directions and props for older children.
What are the benefits of retelling stories and performing them with puppets?
Retelling and performing builds language, sequencing, and storytelling skills, boosting vocabulary and comprehension. Puppetry strengthens fine motor control and creativity while encouraging confidence and public speaking. It promotes empathy as children explore characters’ feelings and improves social skills through collaboration. Performing a favorite fable also reinforces cultural knowledge and moral lessons in a playful, memorable way.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have popsicle sticks, yarn, or glue?
If you don't have popsicle sticks, yarn, or glue, use cardboard strips from a cereal box as handles, string or twist-ties instead of yarn for hair or clothes, and double-sided tape or a stapler in the step 'Attach a popsicle stick or a cardboard handle to the back of each puppet with glue or tape'.
My puppet keeps tearing or flopping when I move it—how can I fix that?
If a puppet tears or flops during the 'Carefully cut out each coloured puppet shape' and moving steps, glue the paper drawing onto thin cardboard (like a cereal box), cover edges with clear tape, and reinforce the handle area with extra tape before attaching the popsicle stick or cardboard handle.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger children simplify the 'Write a short retelling' step into three picture panels (beginning, middle, end) and provide pre-cut puppet shapes to colour, while older kids can write longer retellings, add dialogue, create detailed costumes from fabric scraps, and plan a scripted puppet show to practice.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the puppet show?
To extend and personalize the activity, design a cardboard stage and paper backdrops after 'Colour your puppet drawings', add character voices or simple sound effects during practice, create unique costumes from fabric scraps, and record the performance to share on DIY.org with a title and short description.