Chanukah: Gift Box Puppet

How would you like to make a puppet that doubles as a gift box? Well puppeteer John Kennedy can show you how!

heavy stock gift paper or colored construction paper
colored ribbon
colored markers
pen or pencil
scissors
tape

REMEMBER THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS WORK UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION. SOMETIMES WE USE OBJECTS THAT COULD BE HARMFUL, LIKE SCISSORS, SO DON'T EVER ATTEMPT TO MAKE THESE PUPPETS ALONE.

1. Trace the top and bottom gift box patterns from the heavy stock gift paper.
2. Cut out your patterns.
3. Fold the tabs down, inward. Then, fold the top piece down. and glue them in place on the lid and on the bottom box.
4. Fold the top lid, and then the sides.
5. Tape the tabs down on the top lid. Bend the side around to hold it in place while you tape, and do that for all 4 sides. You’re going to tape the tabs of the bottom box together the same way. Hold the bottom and wrap the bottom lid around. As you fold around, you also have to tape the side tab. Then, tape the entire side down.
6. Fold the top lid in half to make sure the mouth works. Put your fingers and thumb inside it to make it talk!
7. Color your flames in yellow, and use orange for the menorah.
8. Add facial features like eyes, just above the mouth. You can draw two black dots for eyes with eyebrows above them.
9. Write a greeting inside the mouth: Happy Channukah!
10. Fill the bottom box with chocolates or a surprise. Every day of Chanukah you can make a new Gift Box Puppet that is themed to each gift. Tie a ribbon around the box to hold the lid on and you are ready for gift giving.