Putting Together
The Dragon Puppet

Getting Started:
There are just a few steps and a few tools you will need. You will need to print the puppet on card stock. Then you will need scissors, a hole punch, mini brads. A small piece of Styrofoam and a small stick or skewer for a handle are optional.

Card Stock:
The easy part is going to be printing the puppet out on 65 lb., 90 lb., or even 110 lb. card stock, unless of course, you haven't any. If you do not have card sock then print out the puppet to color on regular copy paper, glue to any heavy paper.

Or Use Copy Paper, Shape, and Glue:
You can also just print out the puppet on copy paper, cut out the pieces and then glue the pieces onto another sheet of paper in any way you like, although I think the puppet would prefer not to have their feet on their arms or their heads on their elbows.

Cutting Out the Puppet:
Before you start cutting, color the black & white drawings. Use a good pair of scissors, be patient and cut slowly - you can do it!

Holes for the Brads:
If you haven't a small hole punch to make the holes for the brads, you can use a large thumb tack, darning needle, or an ice pick (An ice pick? Does anyone know what an ice pick is anymore?), the tip of an X–ACTO® blade or small sharp pointy object such as small scissor tips. A dragons whisker or porcupine quill will work as well. These holes don't need to be very large because you can work the brads carefully into them and that keeps them tight. If you have no brads and no hope of getting any, don't fret. These ferocious puppets look great in a pose, either taped or glued in place.

Please ask an adult to help if you are unsure of yourself or very young.

Putting it all Together:
You can find teeny tiny brads with small colorful mini flowers or mini stars in the scrap booking department of most craft stores. These are perfect for assembling paper puppets.

After you make the very small holes for the mini brads, carefully work the prongs through the holes from the front of the top piece, and then through all the layers, spread the legs of the brad in the back. Try to keep them a bit tight so the puppet will hold a pose.

Using crafting brads; attach the ears to the head. (1)

Then assemble all the legs, foot over leg, lower leg over upper leg. (2)

Place the head behind the neck. (3) The neck behind the body with one front leg behind that, and the leg with a claw in front of the body.

The tail goes behind the body with a leg in back of that, and the leg with a claw in front of the body. (4)

One wing in front, one behind the body. (5)

Having fun with a puppet
You can add a "handle" on the back of the puppet, and a second one behind the head. Or you can hang them up on a wall or curtain in different poses.

Adding a Handles:
To add a stick you will need a small block of Styrofoam or other material. We use a small ball of Styrofoam cut in half, anything will do. Use glue or a hot glue gun to stick the Styrofoam ball or block of other material to the back of the puppet. Insert a skewer stick (cut the sharp point off), small craft stick, or even a Popsicle stick into the ball or block angled down, so that it will be easy to hold, slightly away from the body. Remove the stick, place glue in the hole and put the stick back in.

Two sizes of dragon:
You will find the small dragon a real challenge because of all the tiny parts and holes in such very little places, so start out with the big dragon before you start a herd.

You're all set to have fun.

Dragon Puppet
Instruction Page
Large Dragon
Puppet Page
Small Dragon
Puppet Page Page

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