How to Build a Sock Puppet Stage

Build the Sock Puppet Stage

• 1

  Obtain a large cardboard box. Remember, your sock puppet theater will only be as large as the box you start with. Use your craft knife to cut the flaps off the box. (Save the flaps, they can be used for backdrops or scenery.) Turn the box upside down. Designate one lengthwise side to be the front. Cut out the front, leaving a frame on the top and sides, as in the diagram.

• 2

  Measure the length and height of your box. Cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wider than the box and 1 inch longer than the height. For example, if your box measures 13 inches high by 20 inches long, cut a piece of fabric 14 by 22 inches. Fold the fabric in half in the direction of the height, and cut it in half. So, for example, you should now have 2 pieces of fabric, each measuring 14 by 11 inches.

• 3

  Take your craft knife and cut slits on both sides of the box near the front. Leave some space at the top and bottom of the slit.

• 4

  Fold down the top of each curtain 1/2 inch. Either sew or glue the edge to the fabric. Make sure you have a small open space at the fold, as in the picture. If using fabric glue, let it dry.

• 5

  Thread twine through the fold you just created in your curtains. Hang the curtains in the puppet theater by threading the twine through the slits; pull the twine around the back of the box or up on top and tie in a loose bow. Pull an inch of the curtains through the slits. You can pull the fabric all the way through the slits when the show is going on, so they will be out of the way.

• 6

  Poke a few tiny holes with your craft knife in the back of the puppet theater so you can see while your sock puppets are performing.

• 7

  Paint your sock puppet theater with bright colors.

Set Up the Sock Puppet Stage

• 8

  Sit on the floor where you expect to sit while performing a sock puppet play. Place two small end tables in front of you. Spread them apart almost as wide as your sock puppet theater. Balance the sock puppet theater on the end tables so that you can put your hands with sock puppets on them into the puppet theater from underneath. You can also use two chairs facing each other.

• 9

  Affix the sock puppet theater to the end tables or chairs with some masking tape for stability.

• 10

  Drape a tablecloth or sheet in front of and below the sock puppet stage, and affix the cloth to the end tables or chairs. This will hide your legs.