Christmas Puppet Show

Kids will love putting on a special show at Christmas. The fun begins when you start making the puppets and getting the props and scenery ready. From there you can build up excitement by telling them this well-loved story and explaining the action in the show—just read the script and stage directions provided below.

This puppet show would be ideal for two or three children to present—enough hands to manage the puppets, backdrops, and props with a little practice. 

The adventures of Rudolph are familiar to everyone, but children will also enjoy making up their own stories starring Rudolph, Santa, Elf, and the Tiny Reindeer.

PLEASE NOTE: These puppets are not safe for the use of children under three years old.

Making the Puppets

All the puppets are really easy to make from felt and a few common materials. Follow the instructions for Elf to make Santa and Rudolph too.

For Elf, Santa’s helper

You will need:
•  2 pieces of 12 in. x 9 in. (30 cm x 23 cm) green felt
• pieces of felt in pink, olive green, red, and yellow
• 6-strand cotton embroidery floss in red and green
• fabric glue
• 2 small plastic eyes

1. Trace the shapes from the templates and cut them out from felt in the colours shown on the templates.

2. Use 6-strand red cotton embroidery floss in chain stitch to make a wide smiling mouth.  Then use fabric glue—carefully following the manufacturers’ directions—to stick the eyes in place.

3. Now position all the pieces on the front and back body as shown pictured at right. When they are in place, glue them down, making sure that the face overlaps the collar.

4. Let the glue dry completely.  Then pin the front to the back, right sides facing out. You are now ready to sew the puppet together.

5. Use 6-strand green cotton embroidery floss in running stitch to sew all around the puppet, not going right to the edges on the head and hands as shown, above. Secure the thread well at each end.

For Santa Claus

You will need:
• 2 pieces of 12 in. x 9 in. (30 cm x 23 cm) red felt
• pieces of felt in pink, white, and black
• 6-strand cotton embroidery floss in black and red
• fabric glue
• 2 plastic eyes

1. Make Santa as you did the Elf. Glue the beard over the face before stitching a smiling mouth in black floss and gluing on the eyes.

2. Assemble pieces as shown; pay careful attention to which pieces overlap the others—especially the trim on sleeves and hat. Stitch around edges in red floss.

For Rudolph

You will need:
• 2 pieces of 12 in. x 9 in. (30 cm x 23 cm) rusty brown felt
• pieces of felt in medium brown, tan, and red
• 6-strand cotton embroidery floss  in black and brown
• red thread
• fabric glue
• 2 large plastic eyes
• polyester batting for stuffing the nose

1. Make Rudolph as you did Elf. Stitch a humorous mouth in black floss and glue on his eyes.

2. To make the nose, run a gathering stitch around the edge of the nose shape and gather up. Fill the center with batting before pulling the thread tight. Use the end of the thread to sew the nose onto the face.

3. Assemble all pieces as shown and glue in place. Stitch around edges in brown floss.

For Tiny Reindeer

You will need:
• 2 knitted gloves in brown
• pieces of felt in orange and light brown
• 6-strand cotton embroidery floss in brown
• fabric glue
• 16 small plastic eyes
• 8 black beads for noses

1. Assemble eight  faces as for Rudolph, with a bead for the nose.

2. Glue one face on the “pad” side of each of the glove fingers. Leave thumbs free.