DIY Felt Finger Puppet Craft for Kids with Printable Template

Making felt finger puppets is a fun DIY craft project that kids of all ages will enjoy. These cute little guys are so adorable and can help cultivate an interest in imaginative play with all your little ones. This craft is a great idea for you, no matter if you are looking for a gift idea or an easy craft, I am so excited to share these ideas with you, to help you make this fun project.

PLUS, I have made a free printable pattern available for you, so that it cuts down on any headache of figuring out the particulars of the finger puppets and makes the project much more enjoyable! With the printable pattern, all you have to do is download the file, print it out, and cut out the felt using the template. Making the project super easy!

Handmade Felt Finger Puppets

Making these felt finger puppets is a great craft idea, that anyone can make. Below you will find a FREE PDF download with a pattern for felt finger puppets. All you need to do is gather the equipment, cut out the patterns, and then assemble them using either thread to sew the edges, or a hot glue gun to attach the pieces.

These cute little animals make adorable finger puppets so that older kids and young kids can have fun making their own sets to use for puppet shows. The best part is that this craft does not have to be complicated.

If you want to add a lot of detail, then you can get as creative as you want. But if you’d rather not, you can also keep it simple and still have some adorable finger puppets when you are finished.

Why are Puppets Important for Learning Through Play?

There are many great reasons why making and playing with finger puppets can be very beneficial for your children. First, they get to express their creativity in making the finger puppets and continue using that creativity in their play.

When children play with their finger puppets, they will talk to them and imagine stories for their puppets. This helps them in their language development.

Imaginative play, like using finger puppets is another way that children can build self-confidence. I have noticed that many times when my nieces and nephews get together, they want to put on a show of some kind. Using finger puppets helps to build the self-esteem behind this. Allowing children to use their imagination as they play with the puppets will also help children improve their storytelling ability.

One last reason that puppets are important for learning through play, that I would like to mention, is that these cute little guys help to strengthen your children’s fine motor skills. First through the process of creating the puppets, and second through their play.

Join our Mailing List and Receive a…

Let’s Get Started!

Let’s jump into the details of how to make your own cute felt finger puppets. Here are the materials I recommend for making this craft.

Materials & Supplies Felt Finger Puppet Craft for Kids

– Felt sheets in various colors

– Embroidery thread

– Sewing needle

– Hot glue gun (fabric glue or glue sticks will also work if needed)

– Googly eyes (optional)

– Scissors

How to Make Felt Finger Puppets (crafts for kids)

Using the Glue Method

Gluing the felt finger puppets together is quite simple. Just be careful as you work, so that you don’t get burned when using a hot glue gun.

Step 1: Cut out the felt pieces

Once you determine what animals you want to make, you will want to cut out all of the different felt pieces, so that each part is ready to go.

Step 2: Heat the glue

Then heat the hot glue gun. It can take a little bit for the hot glue gun to warm up, so make sure to allow enough time for it to completely heat.

Be careful when using the hot glue, so that you or your child doesn’t get burned.

Step 3: Glue your felt pieces together for the front

Then when it is warmed and ready for use, start by attaching the pieces to the front of the puppet. Place drops or a line of glue where the small pieces go, or on the back of each piece of felt, then stick it and hold it in place for a few seconds before releasing it. Be sure to let each piece dry completely.

Step 4: Glue the back to the front to finish

Once the detailed front of the puppet is glued together, run a line of glue along the inside of the main body of the puppet, leaving the bottom of the puppet open for your finger to go in. Attach the front of the puppet to the back. Hold it in place for a few seconds, then set it aside until it is cooled.

some of the animals on a hang finger puppets

Using the Sewing Method

The other way you can assemble and attach the finger puppet is to sew it together. To do this, you can use a sewing needle, along with embroidery thread, quilting thread, or your average sewing thread. I would recommend using embroidery thread or quilting thread over basic sewing thread because it is a bit stronger.

Whip stitch or blanket stitch your puppet

To sew the puppets together you can use a basic whip stitch or a blanket stitch. Both are easy stitches that kids can give a try.

Step 1: Cut out the pieces

To start you will want to decide what colors of felt you will need, and what animals you are making. Then cut out your desired shapes for each animal finger puppet.

Step 2: Sew the details onto the front

Begin assembling the finger puppets by first sewing any small felt fabric to the front of the puppets, so that the details are attached.

Step 3: Finish assembling

Then sew the back of the puppet to the front of the puppet, around the edges, leaving an opening at the bottom of the puppet for your finger.

I would recommend re-enforcing the areas near the base of the puppet, where your finger will go so that it is strong enough to not pop open at the seams.

Finishing Up the Felt Finger Puppets

In my free printable pattern download, I have given suggestions for different ways to decorate the faces of these cute little guys. But when you are making them, feel free to change things up and make them into your very own! After all, that is half the fun of making a craft project!

DIY No-Sew Felt Finger Puppets

Making these fun felt finger puppets allows you to decide if you want to use the no-sew method, and simply glue the felt pieces together, or if you want to sew the finger puppets. Also keep in mind you could sew part, and glue part of them together as well. It is entirely up to you!

Each one will be Unique, it’s up to your Imagination!

Part of the fun when making a craft is to use your imagination. No matter how hard you try, each project will end up being uniquely yours, so you might as well take advantage of that, and customize your craft project so that it has your own twist on it.

Tips and Notes About the Supplies

Felt Sheets

When selecting the felt sheets, you can find them in a variety of sizes, anywhere from 4x4in to 12x12in. I used a regular size of 8×12 to cut out the finger puppets.

Keep in mind, that you don’t have to buy a lot, as several puppets can be cut from one sheet. You can also cut them out of scrap pieces of felt if you have any lying around.

Feel free to choose whatever color combinations you want when making this craft.

Sewing or Gluing

There are two ways you can assemble felt finger puppets. The easiest and fastest way is to use glue. You can choose to use glue sticks, fabric glue, or my favorite for this project is hot glue.

However, if you are hesitant to use hot glue, you can also use embroidery thread, or even strong sewing thread (quilting thread) to whip stitch or blanket stitch around the felt finger puppets to hold them together. It’s entirely a matter of preference.

Eyes: Googly Eyes or Sewn Eyes

Using googly eyes on the finger puppets is entirely optional. Another great option is to sew parts of their face and eyes onto the puppets. It is especially a good idea to skip the googly eyes if you are making these felt toys for young kids who could potentially swallow small pieces.

To make the felt finger puppets, begin by downloading my FREE PDF printable pattern, or you can come up with your pattern.

Then cut the felt shapes out for the finger puppets. Keep in mind that you will need two main body parts. The front will have more detail, but you will also want to cut the back pieces so that it fits over your fingers.

Make sure that the back piece and front piece match in size, or at least have enough space to attach and still leave a finger hole in the center of the puppet. When all the pieces are cut out, it is time to assemble the finger puppets by either sewing them together or gluing them together.

Download the free file to Make Felt Finger Puppets

As I mentioned above, the pattern that I created to make these finger-felt puppets is also available to you for free!

All you have to do is enter your email address and then click on the button below to receive your free download. I have found that it makes things so much easier, to have a base pattern to work with, then you can adapt it as you want to make it your own!

Farm Animal finger puppet template

Safari Animal finger puppet template

Easter finger puppets free patterns

Nativity finger puppets free patterns

Easy Finger Puppets: Fun Craft With Kids

These adorable finger puppets make a super fun craft to encourage pretend play for children. Making DIY felt finger puppets is a great way to encourage creativity, help develop fine motor skills, and make memories while having fun!

I hope you have a fun time making these cute DIY Felt Finger Puppets!

If you love these DIY felt finger puppets, please be sure to comment below and leave a five-star review so that others can find this free craft idea!

More Craft Ideas for You:

Follow Me!

Be sure to follow us online on your favorite social media platform!

Felt Finger Puppets DIY

Materials

Felt sheets in various colors
Embroidery thread
Sewing needle
Hot glue gun fabric glue or glue sticks will also work if needed
Googly eyes optional
Scissors