Not sure what is going on right now with the download links. I am checking everything to see if it is the plug-in or the word-press update that I did the other night. You can still download most of the files from the audio download page. I have also started to put the files in zip format so that they will automatically begin to download for you.
Puppet Christmas – Rudolph Kringle doesn’t understand the meaning of Christmas and falls down every time someone says the word Christmas. He learns that being greedy is wrong and that if we are generous and share what we have with others we will be blessed. We learn that Jesus is God’s gift to us. After an understanding Rudolph no longer gets weak kneed about Christmas.
Puppet Christmas (10045 downloads )Trying to get all these files uploaded as time allows. More to come!!
Are you looking for a story line or subject for a good puppet skit? This part is easy simply take down the Bible and open it up, you have an entire reference book before you. No matter how many times you feel them may have heard the story you can tell it in your way. Kids love watching and hearing the same story over and over. My son watches the video over and over and over… about 30 times more than I would have, repetition is good!
Hand puppets are rather inexpensive. You can find them in many toy departments. You may also make your own. It is not difficult to use various types of characters. They can also be purchased online, prices range from fairly reasonable to very expensive. I have found that the more simple the better. Sure the more expensive puppets work even better but if you are simply entertaining in your classroom or Sunday school room the cheaper puppets will work fine. My wife and I over the years have learned to work on little to no budget; we even learned how to make our own puppets. Now having a creative mind really works when you are working on little to no budget because you can create something spectacular out of nothing! I can look at a room full of “junk” and begin seeing things come together. We once built an entire fall festival on a budget of less than $100.00 and it was a total hit. Not only did the kids enjoy it but the adults kept talking about it. I remember once that for a back to school puppet show I wanted to create something new so I designed some pencil puppets, they were a hit. We simply took some foam, rolled into tubes and painted them to look like pencils. The same thing can be used for crayons… simple, cheap and mind blowing!!!
Hand operated characters will work well in their own little stage. You will need room to operate your tiny entertainers, without being seen. A stand may work. Many people use a curtain. We build our stages from PVC pipe and curtains. We have found that using snap-on buttons for the curtain allows for easier setting up and breaking down of the stage. A simple snap and a pair of pliers will work wonders also. The snaps can be bought at any local hobby store. Using hand operated puppets do give more life to your characters and using arm rods you can point, clap and act out with your character… it does take a little practice. The more animated you are with your puppet the more the kids love it. I once in just playing around put a puppet up in the window of the daycare office door and within minutes I had attracted over 35 kids to the door of the gym. They had stopped playing and begin migrating to the floor in front of where I was. I did nothing more than act up and move around with the puppet. Playing a simple game of hide and peek they loved it!!!! For the next 15 minutes I entertained the kids and the daycare providers with one puppet in a doorway!!! Amazing!!!
You have to love the simplicity of it all!!!