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How to Move a Puppet's Arms

Puppets have been used in entertainment for centuries. They can be as simple as a sock pulled over your hand or incredibly complicated requiring motors and other mechanisms to operate. One of the simpler forms of puppet is a rod puppet, which uses two sticks to produce arm movement. If you have a puppet you want to make into a rod puppet, you can do so with a few items from your home.

Things You'll Need

Wire coat hangers
Wire cutters
Duct tape
Needle and thread

Instructions

Making the Arm Rods
- 1
  Cut the hooks off two wire coat hangers with wire cutters.
- 2
  Straighten each hanger.
- 3
  Bend one end of each hanger into an L shape. Each bent portion should be 1 inch long.
- 4
  Bend 3 inches of the other side of each hanger back on itself, creating a handle.
- 5
  Wrap the handle in several layers of duct tape.
- 6
  Poke the L on each hanger into the fabric of the puppet's arms near the wrists. Sew them in place with thread that matches the puppet's fabric.
Puppeting the Arms
- 7
  Hold the puppet with your dominant hand.
- 8
  Cross the rods into an X, holding them in your non-dominant hand.
- 9
  Place your pinkie finger beneath the X.
- 10
  Curl your ring and middle fingers around the rods.
- 11
  Use your thumb and forefinger to move the rods, which will in turn move the arms.

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