puppet kit

We've received several craft kits around here recently with two spring birthdays.  The kits always look so promising before we open the package, but I tend to find the contents rather blah.  Usually the materials given are pretty sparse and I feel myself saying, "Shouldn't there be more in there?  More sheets of shrink plastic?  More gems?".  A few of the kits we've opened have contained glue or paint or clay that is already dried out. Fortunately, I have every kind of craft supply so we've been able to substitute and supplement with some fresh supplies, but I have found myself more and more inclined to make craft kits for kids rather than to consider buying them.

My nieces, Jordan and Ellis, are turning 5 this week.  In addition to a few other things (including Royal Rescue – have you played this game?  It's an awesome logic game that goes up in level as you play and is entertaining for many hours.  And I love that half the time the princess has to save the knight), I decided to put together a "Make Your Own Hand Puppet Kit" for them. With only materials that I already had in the craft room (granted, I have an obscene amount of  materials on hand), I assembled these last night. 

First, I made a template and sewed a simple hand puppet from wool felt.  Then I made a cardboard insert to protect the layers of felt during gluing. I cut some contrasting wool felt ears, paws, noses and mouths and a little heart. And finally, I found some googly eyes, a bit of ribbon and a heart-shaped gem.

With a few instructions and a bottle of glue, they should be all set.  I hope the puppet kit is a hit.