This creative little giraffe is fun as a shadow puppet. You can also make a squawking parrot and toothy alligator action shadow puppet.

Materials

• Card stock in assorted colors
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Glue

• Paper fasteners
• Yarn or embroidery floss for a giraffe mane and tail
• Flexible straws

Instructions

1. Cut out the shapes as shown from card stock. Punch holes in the head for an eye, a nostril, and a mouth. Next, punch holes in both movable leg pieces where they will join together at the knees and attach the joints with paper fasteners.

2. Glue together all the body parts. Then punch holes along the neck and at the back of the body for attaching strands of yarn or embroidery floss to create the giraffe's mane and tail. Cut out a pie wedge from each foot.

3. For a cool spotted effect when the giraffe is backlit, randomly punch holes through the body and neck.

4. Glue a straw holder to the back of the body. Use another straw to support the neck, if needed.

5. To cast shadows with your action puppets, simply hold the critters up in front of a desk lamp or flashlight pointed toward a wall. Then have someone turn off any other lights and let the show begin.

Tips:

The measurements we used are:
Horns: 3/4 x 1/4 inches
Mouth & Ears: 1 3/4 inches
Face & Knees: 3 1/4 inches
Legs: 6 1/2 inches
Feet: 1 3/4 inches
Body: 2 3/4 inches
Neck: 1 1/4 inches

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Find more about:

• 1 Hour |
• All Ages |
• Animal Projects |
• Cardboard Crafts |
• Giraffes |
• Jungle |
• Paper Crafts |
• Puppet Theaters |
• String, Rope, and Yarn

Related Categories:

• Playful Puppets |
• Jungle Animals