How to Make a Sock Puppet?

If you want to have some fun with your children and grandchildren, or just want to amuse your friends, the first thing you will need is a clean sock. Make sure the sock is large enough to fit over the child’s hand (or your hand, if you are the performer!)

You will need a few craft/art items such as some of those plastic “wiggle” eyes, some inexpensive glue, cotton balls, a permanent marker etc. Since this isn’t going to be displayed in a museum or on stage you can be very creative in your choice of materials.

The best way to get a decorating idea for a sock puppet is to place your hand in the sock, using your thumb as one part of the “jaw” and your fingers as the other part. This will let you see the outline of the character you are going to create. Use the permanent marker to make light lines and dots so you can see where the eyes, mouth, nose etc. will be.

If you have some felt or other soft but sturdy fabric you can cut ears and a mouth that will be glued in place. If you haven’t been able to find some of those funny-looking eyes you can always create some with a larger shape of felt for the background and the iris of the eye from another color glued onto the background. Drawing eyes on may be the best idea if very small children are going to be playing with the puppet.

Give your sock-puppet character some wild and stringy hair to finish the look and you are in business.