Paint-stick puppets: how are we feeling today?

The idea to make "Paint stick puppets" first began when I took it on to teach my two-year-old about his emotions. There is so much material out there (toys, books, posters) that target emotions, but most of them are pretty pricey and not versatile. So, I decided to fabricate something that would engage my tot, last longer than a couple of days and something that was low cost! I also found them very easy and fast to construct. 

Materials include the following:

1.) Paint sticks

2.) Different colored pipe cleaners

3.) Hot glue gun

4.) Markers

5.) Black wiggle eyes

First, hot glue the eyes to each stick. Make sure to leave about an inch of space on top (this allows room for hair/eye brows).

Next draw the mouth and nose on each stick.

Draw the rest of the emotions as shown in the picture below. Reading from left to right we have: sad, surprised, scared, happy and mad emotions. 

After that, add the hair by hot gluing the pipe cleaners to the back of the paint stick.

The rest of the hair was done as shown in the picture below. 

Once you're finished, create stories that highlight emotions of the puppet stick actors and put on a puppet show!