Dancing Bird Puppet

The best way to let the good times roll on Mardi Gras is by creating a really fun puppet! So join host John Kennedy as he shows you how to make a Dancing Bead Bird!

car sponge
two colorful beaded necklaces
one wooden spoon
colorful feathers
orange sheet foam
three 1/4” dowel rods
two 2” white pom-poms
two 1/4” black pom-poms
scissors
paintbrush
orange paint
black permanent marker
pen or pencil
glue
small plate or palette

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 feet pattern onto the orange sheet foam twice.
2. Cut out the two feet. Make sure you cut two slits.
3. Paint the spoon end of the wooden spoon orange. This will be the beak. Let dry for 15 minutes.
4. You’ll be using a car sponge for the body. Make a centered cut all the way through the back of the top half of your sponge using scissors. Insert the painted spoon to create his beak.
5. You will be making a U shaped cut halfway through the sponge from the back of the bird’s body. You will be inserting the beads of the necklace into the cut and using them as legs. Start by using the beads as a guide as you trace the line with a black marker first.
6. Insert the beads into the cut and glue them in place. Close up the cut with glue and let dry for about 20 minutes.
7. Add on the feet by attaching them with the beads. Place them into the slits and glue them in place.
8. Glue on the white pom-pom’s above his beak for eyes and use the black ones for pupils.
9. Take your scissors and make little slits on the side of his body to create wings. Insert your feathers into the slits. 4 is a good number to use on each side. You can use glue to secure them in place.
10. Make a snip on the top of head and add another feather.
11. Use a small rectangular piece of orange sheet foam and draw on a tie. Cut it out and glue it on for his costume. Use the handle of the spoon to make him dance!