Down Under Puppet Craft

Kocoa the Koala

Several years ago, Pack-o-Fun magazine had a little teddy bear puppet named Traveling Jack. I have been wanting to use him in SummerQuest for a long time. He was on a track a few years ago, but materials did not work out. So he did not get made.

Using the Traveling Jack pattern as a guide, I modified it into a Koala bear to go along with our SummerQuest (VBS) theme. Really turned out cute. The craft takes about 40 minutes to complete using sewing glue and taking the time to write out a testimony or a witnessing story.

We selected this craft for the 3rd graders. Right at the top of the age for making puppets. However, the idea behind this craft was more than a craft to take home, but a tool for a child to share their testimony and to witness to others.

Some of the children wanted to sew their Koala bears.

Even the boys!!!

OK if you need a week long craft. In our case, each grade only came in for 25 minutes 2 days during the week. Some did sew theirs. I think a lot of teachers helped. You can also use sharpies to add color and facial features.

Make the top on day one and glue the bottom on the second day. The sewing glue is often thick. We have to pour it out on a plate and spread it with a flat toothpick. If it is too thick or lumpy, add a tad of water. But it holds when dry.

Some of the children even added clothing and baby pouches to their Koalas. The loved writing out their testimonies and those who did not know the Lord as Savior, shared that as well. Opened up the door for witnessing and praying for that child.

This is an afforadable craft. If you purchase your felt by the yard and use a coupon (Hancock's, Hobby Lobby, Joann's...) you can get the cost to around 60 cents or so a child. 1 and 1/3 yard of felt will give you about 18 puppets.

For 2nd and 3rd graders, puppets are a great craft. A new pattern can be drafted every year to go with what ever VBS theme you have. Sharpies, colored felt pieces, even sewing can be used in the construction. It just depends on how much time you have.

Some of you have yet to have your VBS. If you are using Lifeway's Boomerang Express Theme and are interested in the instructions and pattern, email me through my profile and I will be glad to email it to you.