Hilarious Hand Puppets for Kids
- Gary B.
- UPDATED June 20, 2019
- in Learning & STEM toys
Best Overall
Puppet Company
Knitted Scorch
It’s a rainy afternoon and your child is complaining that they are so bored they may just die! This perplexes you because you can clearly see toys and games all around their room. Maybe it is time to try something a little different. How about putting on a puppet show?!
If you don’t have the time to make some sock puppets of your own, we have created a list of our favorite puppets to help kick that boredom and bring a spark of creativity back into your child.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Puppet Company Knitted Scorch
Upgrade Choice
Melissa Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater
Best Budget Buy
Melissa&Doug Ballerina Puppet Detachable
How to Pick the Best Hand Puppet for Kids
1. Recommended Age
While puppets can be used by parents for children of any age as a teaching tool and role-play activities, puppets that will be used by the child themselves will fall under the recommended age guideline. Some puppets contain small items that may be a choking hazard to children under the age of 3. It is important that you always check the recommended age of toys for your child.
2. Materials
Hand puppets are generally made of cotton and polyester fabric materials. Some may simply be a standard one-piece fabric design, while others may be stuffed with a more plush fabric. Some puppets are a two-handed style that comes with an additional and removable wooden gesture stick.
3. Weight
Puppets, in general, are quite light. Standard style hand puppets usually fall in the range of 2 to 4 ounces, while the larger two-handed puppets can range from 7 ounces up to a pound.
4. Dimensions
The size of a puppet is pretty much what you would expect. A typical hand puppet will be roughly the size of a small hand, while the larger two-handed puppets are the size of a large doll so that they can be manipulated with a hand and arm in addition to the gesture rod.
5. Accessories
Some puppets come as a themed set which can make adventure play all the more interesting. Another type of accessory that may come with a puppet is what is called a gesture rod. These are generally wooden and can be used by either the left or right hand. They are used to manipulate the puppets arms and hands in forms of gestures.
6. Learning Skills
There are many learning skills that your child can acquire through puppet play. It is an excellent form of storytelling and role playing that can help your child grow their imagination, verbal skills, and social interaction. This type of role-playing can also help children with conflict resolutions.
The Winners
#1
Puppet Company Knitted Scorch
Editor's Choice
Meet Scorch, the Puppet Company Knitted Scorch hand puppet designed to bring out your child’s imagination. This colorful character is full of surprise with his big mouth, squeaking tongue, and friendly face.
- You'll love: This puppet has a unique character that is sure to bring out your child’s imaginative side.
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Materials: Knitted fabric, Plastic eyes
Weight: 3.84 ounces
Dimensions: 3 x 6.3 x 16 inches
Accessories: Tongue squeaker
Learning Skills: Imagination, Creative play
#2
Melissa&Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater
Upgrade Choice
The wooden puppet theater that has a sturdy, non-tip base so you won’t have to worry about your child knocking it over during pretend play. The Melissa Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater has a bright red, velvety theater curtain and colorful front display, as well as a clock, and a chalkboard for writing the name and time of performance.
- You'll love: This theater will enhance your child’s puppet pretend play and add to their creative theatrical experience.
- Watch for: Adult assembly is required.
Recommended age:3 to 7 years
Materials :Wood Fabric, Chalkboard
Weight: 12.2 lbs
Dimensions: 4 x 14.5 x 48.7 inches
Accessories: Curtain Clock Chalkboard
Learning Skills
Motor skills Creative expression Writing skills
#3
Melissa&Doug Friends Hand Puppets
Best Budget Buy
Four animal themed hand puppets that are sized to fit both children and adult hands. With the Melissa&Doug Friends Hand Puppets, your child can put on a wildlife performance with a giraffe, elephant, tiger, or monkey.
- You'll love
- The puppets have soft, plush heads so your child can also enjoy cuddling their new puppets.
- The puppets are machine washable.
Recommended age: 2 to 6 years
Materials: Washable fabric
Weight: 8 ounces
Dimensions: 2.8 x 9.5 x 14.2 inches
Accessories: 4 puppets
Learning Skills: Motor skills
Self confidence: Hand-eye coordination
#4
Melissa&Doug Ballerina Puppet
A prima ballerina puppet dressed for her best performance. The Melissa&Doug Ballerina Puppet comes with a gesture rod for extra animation, and an expressive face that is easy to manipulate.
- You'll love: The gesture rod can be used by either the left or right hand.
- Watch for: This two-handed puppet takes some coordination that may be tricky for younger children.
Recommended age: 3 to 15 years
Materials: Fabric, Plush material, Wooden rod stick
Weight: 4.8 ounces
Accessories: Removable gesture rod
Learning Skills: Creativity, Fine motor skills, Coordination
#5
Aurora World Puppet Parrot T-Rex
Best Dinosaur Puppet
The Aurora World Puppet Parrot T-Rex is realistically designed and can fit easily and comfortably over your child’s hand. The 10-inch puppet is made of a soft, plush material in shades of brown and white.
- You'll love: The puppet has a realist appearance with its T-Rex arms, plastic eyes, and chomping fabric teeth.
Recommended age:3 to 15 years
Materials: Fine, plush fabric, Plastic eyes
Weight: NA
Dimensions: 10 inches
Accessories: NA
Learning Skills: Pretend play, Communication skills
#6
Melissa&Doug SmoulderDragon Puppet
- You'll love: This puppet will spark the imagination in children that love fantasy stories and movies.
Recommended age: 3 to 15 years
Materials: Polyester plush fabric, Wooden arm rod
Weight: 8.8 ounces
Dimensions: 17.7 x 4 x 6 inches
Accessories: Wooden arm rod
Learning Skills: Imagination, Coordination
#7
BetterLine Animal Hand Puppets
The BetterLine Animal Hand Puppets is a set of two, high quality soft plush hand puppets designed to inspire creativity in a child. These two dogs are made of a soft and huggable material and have a realistic appearance.
- You'll love: The plush and soft material mixed with the lovable, large eyes of these dogs will tug at any child’s heart.
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Materials: Plush material, Plastic eyes
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.5 x 4.7 inches
Accessories: Two dog puppets
Learning Skills: Story telling,Role play
#8
Melissa & Doug Firefighter Puppet
Chief Walter Blaze of the Melissa & Doug Firefighter
- You'll love: This is an excellent puppet for teaching children about fire safety.
- Watch for: May be difficult for younger children to manage.
Recommended age: 3 to 15 years
Materials: Plush material, Fabric
Wooden handle stick
Weight: 7.7 ounces
Dimensions: 6 x 4.7 x 14.9 inches
Accessories: Removable wooden handle stick
Learning Skills: Fire safety, Social interaction
#9
Melissa & Doug Surgeon Puppet
The Melissa & Doug
- You'll love: This puppet is a great way to introduce a doctor visit to your child through interactive role play.
- Watch for: This puppet has small parts not recommended for children under the age of 3.
Recommended age: 3 to 15 years
Materials: Plush material, Fabric, Wooden gesture rod
Weight: 7.2 ounces
Dimensions: 15 x 6.8 x 17.3 inches
Accessories: Removable wooden gesture rod
Learning Skills: Role play, Social interaction
#10
Kicko Animal Puppets
The Kicko Animal Puppet has twelve piece assorted animal hand puppet set that includes a cow, bear, elephant, monkey, tiger, cat, lion, giraffe, zebra, dog, horse, and pig.
- You'll love: With all of the puppet characters, this is a great hand puppet set for story time.
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Materials: Velour
Weight: 4.2 ounces
Dimensions: 6.5 x 2 x 1.6 inches
Accessories: 12 animal characters
Learning Skills: Story telling, Imagination
#11
Melissa & Doug Police Officer Puppet
The Melissa & Doug Police Officer Puppet has a detachable wooden rod for animated gestures. This plush puppet wears an authentically detailed fabric costume to enhance creative play.
- You'll love: The puppet works with both left or right hands.
- Watch for: An excellent puppet for teaching a child about safety.
Recommended age: 3 to 15 years
Materials: Plush and fabric
Weight: 1 lb
Dimensions: 3.8 x 6.8 x 16.1 inches
Accessories: Detachable wooden rod Removable wooden animation stick
Learning Skills: Fine motor skills, Creative thinking, Verbal skills
#12
Melissa & Doug Pirate Puppet
With its expressive face and pirate attire, the Melissa & Doug Pirate Puppet is ideal for kids that seek adventure. It has a gesture rod that can suit both right handed and left handed children.
- You'll love: This puppet is a great tool to bring out your child’s imagination and sense of adventure.
Recommended age : 3 to 15 years
Materials: Plush material, Fabric, Wooden gesture rod
Weight: 0.16 ounces
Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 16 inches
Accessories: Removable gesture rod
Learning Skills: Imagination, Social skills
DIY, Craft and Décor: Ideas for Hand Puppets
Finger Puppets
Laura over at Lalymom came up with some of the most adorable DIY finger puppets that you and your child can make together. The itsy bitsy spider is one of our favorites!
Paper Bag Puppets
Have some paper bags left over from those school lunches? Why not make some paper bag puppets? Rachel lists 20 animal styled puppets made simply from paper bags. You can check out her creations and instruction at I heart crafty things.
Sock Puppets
If your house is anything like mine then you are well aware that on occasion the washer likes to eat one sock from a pair. Don’t throw that lonely sock away!
Handmade Charlotte has 7 awesome DIY sock puppet craft ideas that you and your child can create together.
Puppet Theater
If your house is anything like mine then you are well aware that on occasion the washer likes to eat one sock from a pair. Don’t throw that lonely sock away!
Handmade Charlotte has 7 awesome DIY sock puppet craft ideas that you and your child can create together.
Quick Decision
Puppet Company Knitted Scorch – Best Overall
If your looking to spark your child’s imagination with a uniquely styled puppet then you may want to consider Scorch from The Puppet Company.
Melissa Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater – Upgrade Choice
If you have already acquired an assortment of puppets and want to make role-play even more exciting for your child, then you may want to consider getting the Melissa & Doug Puppet Theater so they can perform their very own play.
Melissa&Doug Friends Hand Puppets – Best Budget Buy
Comes with 4 adorable zoo animal hand puppets which gives you more bang for your buck.
Best kids' binocular
Gary B.
Gary is a father of two, self-identified RC fanboy, and part-time guitar plucker. When he's not racing his collection of remote-controlled vehicles or strumming away, we bend his arm and get him to write with precision and expertise on a range of mechanical and electrical toys.
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