Hand Puppets

Name and Purpose

• Hand Puppets is a creative activity that sparks imagination and self-expression through simple drawing and storytelling.
• Players of all energy levels can participate fully at their own pace.

a.k.a.

• Thumb Puppets, Fist Puppets

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 4-30 players | 15-30 minutes | Indoors or any shaded seated area; tables are helpful but not required

Materials

• Non-permanent washable coloured ink pens (one set per 2-3 players)
• Optional: small sticker dots, washable paint pens, or fabric markers for extra detail
• Music source (phone, speaker, or a staff member leading a song)
• Soap and water or wet wipes for cleanup

Quick-Run Card

1. Each player makes a fist with thumb tucked inside fingers.
2. Draw a face: eyes just above the thumb knuckle, a mouth line along the thumb.
3. Move the thumb to open and close the puppet’s mouth.
4. Play a song and have puppets lip-sync or sing along.
5. Pair up for a short puppet conversation or mini-show.

Setup and Boundaries

• Seat players comfortably with access to pens
• Signal: staff raises a hand or calls “Pens down” to pause
• Washable pens only; confirm they are non-permanent before distributing
• Note: this activity involves drawing on skin. Staff will know which campers need accommodations.

How to Play

1. Players make a fist and tuck their thumb under their fingers.
2. Using washable pens, they draw a simple face: two eyes above the thumb knuckle and a curved mouth along the top of the thumb.
3. By bending and straightening the thumb, the mouth opens and closes.
4. Staff plays a familiar song. Puppets lip-sync or “sing” along.
5. Players pair up and have a short puppet conversation. One puppet asks a question; the other answers.
6. Optional: small groups put on a 30-second puppet show for the cabin.

I-OPt Options

• Start
  • A (Active): Draw your own puppet face right away and start practising voices
  • S (Support): Help a friend find a pen colour they like or steady their hand while they draw
  • Q (Quiet): Draw slowly and carefully; focus on the design
  • O (Observer): Watch how others make their puppet, then try when ready
• Mid
  • A (Active): Give your puppet a name and a personality; lead a conversation
  • S (Support): Prompt a partner with questions their puppet can answer
  • Q (Quiet): Have your puppet whisper or hum along instead of speaking loudly
  • O (Observer): Be the “audience” and react to others’ puppet moments
• Late
  • A (Active): Volunteer your puppet for a group sing-along in front of everyone
  • S (Support): Help younger or less confident players add detail to their design
  • Q (Quiet): Have a quiet one-on-one puppet conversation with a staff member
  • O (Observer): Watch the group show and give applause
• End
  • A (Active): Lead the cleanup song while everyone washes up
  • S (Support): Pass out wet wipes or direct people to the sink
  • Q (Quiet): Wash up at your own pace
  • O (Observer): Help collect and cap all pens

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who find a fist grip difficult can draw a face on the back of an open hand and use a finger to create a “talking” motion instead
• Players who prefer not to draw on skin can draw on a small piece of paper or card taped lightly around a finger

Stewardship Moment

• Cap all pens after use so they last longer; washable pens can be used many times
• Reflection: “These pens work for lots of activities. What else could you create with them this week?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “We’re going to draw simple puppet faces on our hands using washable pens. For those who’d rather not draw on their skin, drawing on a strip of paper that wraps around your finger is another option.”
• Mid-game check: After the drawing step, glance around and check in with anyone who looks unsure.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Players can watch and join the sing-along without having a puppet; anyone can make their puppet at any point during the activity.

Risks and Mitigation

• Non-washable pens used by accident: check all pens before distributing; keep a wet wipe handy for quick correction
• Skin sensitivity to ink: note that this activity involves drawing on skin; staff will know which campers need accommodations
• Players drawing on each other without asking: remind the group that everyone draws on their own hand only; drawing on a friend needs a clear yes from that friend first

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Mirror Hands”: pairs face each other and mirror each other’s hand movements slowly, then faster
• “Hand Wave”: the whole group does a slow-motion wave from one end of the group to the other, hands only

Debrief Questions

• What? “What did your puppet say or do? What surprised you about it?”
• So What? “How did giving your hand a voice or personality change how you felt in this activity?”
• Now What? “When in your life might a bit of creativity or silliness help you express something you find hard to say directly?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Wash or wipe hands thoroughly
• Cap all pens and return to the activity bin
• Collect any paper strips or scraps