Paper Plate Jack 'o Lantern

Convert a paper plate (or two) into a jolly jack-o-lantern puppet! There are several ways to do it; choose one and try it. One puppet is lots of fun, but you may want to make more and have a real puppet show.

You will need:

Paper Plates: plain paper plates will work, the heavier the better (for strength). Styrofoam plates also work, are lightweight and strong.
Glue or Stapler
Tempera Paint orange, black and green
Brushes
Scissors
Optional:
Cardboard, newspaper, or manila folder
Stick
Small Stones

Here's how:

Choose how you want to construct your puppet. You may want to try one of each kind! Add a paper stem if you like.

General Notes:

• You will be painting the bottom/back side of the plates.
• To paint a Styrofoam plate, add some liquid detergent to the paint.

Puppet #1 (with one paper plate)

• Paint the pumpkin face on the bottom/back side of the plate, let dry.
• Add a paper stem if you like
• Make a handle for the back of the plate. Use a strip of cardboard or manila folder, or a roll of newspaper.
• Attach the handle across the back of the plate, stapling it to the edges on either side.

Puppet #2 (with 2 paper plates)

• Paint the pumpkin faces on the bottom/back side of the plates. Why not make one side scary and the other one happy? Let dry.
• Add a paper stems if you like
• Staple the two plates together, faces facing out (NOT nested).
• Insert a stick between them for a handle to hold.
• For a noisy pumpkin, put a few stones inside to make it rattle. (Make sure to staple it shut really tight!)

Puppet #3 (with 1 and 1/2 paper plates)

• Cut across one of the paper plates, taking off the lower third or half of the plate.
• Paint the pumpkin face on the bottom/back side of the whole plate. Paint the partial plate too, if desired.
• Glue or staple the two plates together, bottom sides out (NOT nested). This makes a pocket for the child's hand.

Here are some Jack-O-Lantern faces to get you going . . .