(Somewhat) Flannel Friday: Popsicle Stick Puppets

One of the things I like to include in my story times for babies and toddlers is simple singing with puppets. But there are only so many puppets a library can have, and I'm pretty picky about the songs I choose. So, how do I vary my repertoire? I make my own simple stick puppets.

Pictured here are two puppets I have use regularly at story times this Fall, and one I have yet to use. Each one consists of a popsicle stick with a little patch or two of Velcro stuck onto it. Then I can fasten pretty much any flannel board item I've made to the front of the stick for an instant puppet!

Here is a quick description of how I use each of the puppets pictured, as well as the words to their corresponding songs:

Brown Squirrel

When we sing Brown Squirrel, I hold up the squirrel puppet and when it comes to "swoosh your bushy tail," I move him back and forth like he's actually swishing his tail. I also point to the acorn when we sing "hold a nut between your toes."

Brown squirrel, brown squirrel
Swoosh your bushy tail
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel
Swoosh your bushy tail
Wrinkle up your funny nose
Hold a nut between your toes
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel
Swoosh your bushy tail!

I'm a Little Apple

I haven't done this song in a story time yet, but it's a great example of a song I would never sing at story time unless I had a prop. It's impossible to act out, and there are no real motions to it, but add a puppet and suddenly I feel free to sing these kinds of songs, without feeling like I'm performing on stage. The puppet makes the song less about me, and more about the interactive experience.

I'm a little apple, short and round,
I make a munchy, crunchy sound,
If you bite into me you will see -

I'm delicious as can be!

[Source]

Mr. Pumpkin
I really want to rewrite the lyrics to this song, but this works for now. For this one, I just hold up the puppet and sway it back and forth. At baby lap time, I make sure to move it slowly around the circle so everyone gets a chance to see it.

Mr. Pumpkin, Mr. Pumpkin
Round and fat, round and fat
I’m gonna eat you! I’m gonna eat you!
Just like that. Just like that.
 [Source]

I've put Velcro on five popsicle sticks, so I always have a few on hand to mix and match. They're great for when I need just one more quick song and don't have time to pull together anything elaborate, and they'll work for any flannel set I have on hand, as long as the pieces have Velcro on them. I plan on making a penguin, a snowman, and a Santa Claus in the near future to use during the holidays and the Winter months.

This week's Flannel Friday host is Mollie.  See previous round-ups here at So Tomorrow, and check out the Flannel Friday Pinterest boards here.