DIY Easy Bear Hand Puppet

by Heidi Rugg

I’m Heidi Rugg of @barefootpuppets. Today’s tutorial is a great activity to share (or do!) with a young person. The joy in this project is that all the making and the work of the project are hidden when you utter the words: “Let’s make a puppet!” (Avoid saying, “Let’s learn to cut, stitch, attach buttons, and make color choices.”)

This bear puppet can be used by a child or by an adult and I have some tips for how to move the puppet at the end of this tutorial. I recommend making one puppet all the way through before attempting to lead a child through the process. If you start now, you’ll have your bear done in time for International Teddy Bear Day on September 9th.

Tip: This project is best for ages 7 and up, as young hands are still developing.


Let's get started!


Materials:

  • Felt Sheets (9"x12") – 2 sheets of the same color
  • Felt Sheets (9"x12") - 1 sheet in a contrasting color
  • Buttons for eyes (2)
  • Button for the nose (1)
  • Embroidery thread
  • Embroidery needle with large eye
  • Fabric scissors
  • Paper scissors
  • Marker
  • Pins
  • Chalk (optional)
  • Needle-threader (optional, but recommended if you are doing this with a young person)
  • Patience…and maybe some hot chocolate? (also optional, but helpful)

Tip: You and/or your young person will need to pick out the color for the bear body and the color for the muzzle. The Felt Store has some very nice bundled color palettes of wool-blend felt that make this really easy.You also can use a small felt scrap from another project for your contrasting color.

Downloadable PDF pattern:
Easy Bear Hand Puppet - Template


Instructions

  1. Patterning: To fit your hand comfortably, we will be creating the pattern in several steps: First, print out the Pattern onto an 8-1/2” x 11” piece of paper. Then cut out the Pattern pieces and set aside. Be sure to impress upon your young person the importance of using the correct scissors! (Keep the nice fabric scissors for later.)



  1. Color Selection: You can choose to do a more natural colored brown bear or a fantastical colored bear. (I’m usually into more natural colors, but, for fun, I am making a blue bear with a bright yellow muzzle.) I encourage you to allow your young person free reign in their color choices.

  1. Cut out the Bears onto the Felt: Trace the bear body onto ONE of the felt rectangles. You can use chalk or a marker (be careful!). Carefully pin together the two rectangular pieces of felt for the bear’s body. Cut the bear out so that you will have TWO identical bears.(Your young person will likely need some help with this part, especially if they are younger than 12.) Trace and cut out the muzzle too! I recommend choosing a contrasting color. You will only need one of these.




  1. Choosing Buttons and Thread Color(s): I love choices. I have a giant selection of buttons when I do workshops with young people. I have star shapes and wacky choices…and I don’t even mind if the eyes don’t match. You’ll need two buttons for the eyes and one for the nose. I like to place them on my bear to see how they look.

    When it comes to the thread color, many children will want to pick their favorite colors. That is fine. For older children, I’ll sometimes introduce words like “contrast” and “complementary.” Sometimes. For a first-timer, though, I like to let them figure some of this out on their own. You can use one color of thread for the whole puppet or you can change colors for different parts.


  1. Start Stitching: Carefully unpin your two bears. Look them over and decide which one looks better, and this can be the FRONT of your puppet. Set aside the other cut-out. Carefully follow the next steps, and remember you can always find great video tutorials on YouTube for anything that you need to see in more detail.
  • Thread the needle with your embroidery thread. Make sure the needle eye is large enough. A needle-threader can be very useful.
  • Attach the button nose to the muzzle.
  • Take a sip of hot chocolate. (You did see that on the materials list, right?)
  • Pin the muzzle to the front of the bear and stitch it in place. I used a simple running stitch in the example.
  • Attach the two button eyes. (I like to use a marker to make a tiny dot to help with placement.)
  • Embellish as you wish! I added a funky little heart. I’ve also had children add eyebrows, pearl earrings, bows, lederhosen outfits, spectacles, and more!
  • Look over your work. Make sure you are done….
  • Now, carefully pin the two bear halves together again.
  • You can use the same color of thread or change colors. Use a whip stitch (easiest) or a blanket stitch around the outer edge.


  1. Put on a Puppet Show! There are two ways you can position your hands to move the puppet. Position 1 takes more practice and looks like how Spock holds his hands when he says, “Live long and prosper.” Position 2 is usually easier for young people – the thumb and the pinky finger make the arms move; the other three fingers go into the neck of the puppet.
    See who can find the funniest voice for their puppet. Have the puppet read a book or tell a story of what happened. Maybe you can go on a “Bear Hunt?” Puppets can spark the most interesting conversations.

And…sometimes your puppet will need another puppet to talk to. You can always make another friend for your bear puppet by going through the process again. Happy International Teddy Bear Day! Tag us on Instagram @barefootpuppets and @the_felt_store and show us your puppets.

Happy Crafting!!


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Back to Blog