All summer we’ve been sharing ideas for a Don’t Laugh at Giraffe-themed party. We’ve talked about games, kid-made loot bags, and the oh-so-popular Muddy Puddle Slushie drink. Today we have instructions for a great kid-friendly craft that will inspire hours of fun long after the party is over:
Giraffe Puppet
Materials:
One white sock
One red felt tongue
Two tan felt horns
Two tan felt ears
Brown tempera paint
A paint brush
Tacky craft glue
A picture of a giraffe or an example for kids to follow
A black fabric marker
Note:
To make this more of an independent activity at the party (freeing you up to light candles, clean up messes, or deal with crises), cut out the tongue, ears, and horns ahead of time. You will need a long, snaking red tongue, two small tan rectangles for horns, and two small, tan leaf shapes for ears.
Directions:
1. Using the black fabric marker, draw eyes and nostrils on the foot of the sock.
2. Using the brown tempera, paint large spots on the neck of the giraffe and small spots on its face.
3. Glue down 1.5 cm (0.5 in) of the tongue just below the seam at the toe of the sock.
4. With the sock flat on the table, glue one horn so that it sticks straight up from the crest of the heel. Flip the sock over and do the same on the other side.
5. Glue each ear right over the base of a horn. Make sure the tips of the ears point backward.
Bird Puppet
Materials
One 2″ Styrofoam ball
One paperclip, cut in half with wire cutters
Three feathers
A black permanent marker
Tempera paint
A paint brush
Tacky craft glue
An arm’s length of yarn
Directions:
1. Poke the half paperclip halfway into the Styrofoam ball so that it makes two holes. Remove it, dip it in glue, and replace it in the same holes. This will form a loop from which your bird will hang.
2. Using the permanent marker, draw features on your bird.
3. Paint the ball all over. You can use your paperclip loop to keep your fingers out of the drying paint.
4. Poke a feather into each side of the bird for wings, and a third at the back for a tail. As with the paperclip, you can dip them in glue for added stability.
5. Tie one end of your yarn to the loop. Your bird is ready to fly!