Dolphins are some of the most fascinating animals in the ocean! Known for their playful personalities, intelligence, and acrobatic jumps, dolphins capture the imagination of children everywhere. A leaping dolphin stick puppet craft is a fun and simple activity that lets preschoolers explore these amazing sea creatures while developing important creative and motor skills.
Supplies Needed:
- paper plate
- jumbo craft sticks (We used the 6″x3/4″ craft sticks)
- water color paints
- paintbrush
- dolphin craft template
- crayons/markers
- scissors
- glue stick
- box cutter
How To:
Children can start this project by painting the paper plate blue using water color paints. Let the plate dry. Add waves with a marker or crayon.
Print off the leaping dolphin stick puppet craft template (free PDF download). Color the dolphin. After coloring, cut along the dotted lines.
Once the plate is dry, an adult can use a box cutter to cut a slit along the smooth center of the plate. The slit in the example is a little less than halfway up the plate. Before slicing, make sure that the craft stick will be able to stick up through the proposed slit and move around. The slit should go all the way along the smooth part of the plate, stopping before both ridged outer edges.
Glue (or tape) your dolphin to end of a craft stick. Slip your puppet through the slit and move your puppet around so that your dolphin can swim and leap around the ocean.
Downloadable Leaping Dolphin Stick Puppet Craft Template
As children color, cut, and assemble their stick puppets, they practice:
- Fine motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Creativity and self-expression
- Following directions
- Imaginative storytelling
