Parrot Puppet using Ball

Objective

To guide teachers in creating a colourful Parrot Puppet that can be used in classrooms for storytelling, rhymes and activity-based learning

Estimated time to create the Parrot Puppet using Ball

20 -30 minutes

Materials required for creating the Parrot Puppet using Ball

  1. Glue drops or Diluted Fevicol
  2. Scissors
  3. Plastic Ball
  4. Tissue paper
  5. Green paint
  6. Brush
  7. Red A4 sheet paper
  8. Google eyes

Preparation for activity

  1. Arrange all materials neatly on the workspace before beginning.
  2. Pre-cut coloured paper into smaller pieces to make pasting easier.
  3. Ensure the tubes for finger puppets are cut and made properly for puppet balance.
  4. Use only child-safe scissors if children are participating.

Procedure

Hello everyone! Welcome to this puppet-making session. Today, we’ll make a ‘Parrot Puppet’

  • Step 1:
  • We will see how to make the parrot’s body with a plastic ball and its beak with red coloured paper. We will also look at how to move the puppet.
  • Step 2:
  • Take a plastic ball and stick a few pieces of tissue paper on the ball to cover it entirely. Use diluted glue to stick the tissue paper.
  • Step 3:
  • Paint the ball green by applying green colour paint on the tissue paper stuck to the ball. Colour only one side of the ball as shown in the video.
  • Step 4:
  • Now let’s learn how to put the beak on the parrot’s face. For this, take a two-layered triangle sheet. Fold it in half and attach the base of the folded triangle sheet onto the ball such that the pointed side faces outside, like a beak. Cut the folded sheet short, since it is the beak of a parrot.  Make two parts with the two folded sheets and stick them on red coloured paper. Make a sturdy base as shown in the video and stick the upper and the lower parts of the beak on the ball (face of the parrot).
  • Step 5:
  • Attach googly eyes above the beak. Make a cylinder out of chart paper and stick it on the ball from below the face to hold the puppet.
  • Step 6:
  • We can even put a dress on the parrot. Now your Parrot Puppet is ready! You can use it in rhymes, stories, or role plays.

Step by Step Pictures to create the puppet

Important Tips

  1. Use thick chart paper to make the puppet durable.
  2. If coloured paper is unavailable, colour the puppet using crayons or sketch pens.
  3. Keep the design bright and friendly to attract children’s attention.
  4. Practice simple wing movements before the class to make the parrot appear lively.

Precautions

  1. Always supervise children when using scissors or rods.
  2. Avoid excess glue to prevent wrinkles or tears.
  3. Let the puppet dry completely before use.
  4. Keep the puppet facing the audience during the demonstration.
  5. Ensure rods are not sharp or pointed.

Troubleshooting:

  1. Problem: Puppet does not stay upright.
    Solution: Reposition rods evenly and check glue placement.
  2. Problem: Beak comes loose.
    Solution: Apply a small amount of glue and press firmly for a few seconds.
  3. Problem: Puppet bends after use.
    Solution: Use thicker chart paper or add a second layer for support.
  4. Problem: Colour looks dull.
    Solution: Use bright chart paper or outline features with a black pen for contrast.

Instructions to the Teacher Notes to the Teacher

  • Puppet-making encourages creativity, coordination and fine motor skills.
  • The Parrot Puppet can be used in lessons on birds, colours and nature.
  • Teachers can name the puppet (e.g., “Polly the Parrot”) to make it relatable for children.
  • Encourage students to make their own puppets and use them in classroom plays or rhymes.
  • Use this activity to discuss topics like kindness to animals or conservation of birds.

Different ways of using the puppet in class:

  • Storytelling: Use the parrot as a character in stories like The Talkative Parrot or The Parrot and the Merchant.
  • Language Development: Practice dialogues, describing the parrot’s colours, or speaking lines like “Polly wants a cracker!”
  • Rhymes and Songs: Use during songs such as Two Little Dicky Birds or Early in the Morning.
  • EVS: Introduce bird habitats, beaks, feathers, or the role of birds in nature.
  • Art Integration: Encourage children to create different coloured parrots and display them in class.

Encourage students to present a short skit or rhyme using their own parrot puppets.

Video: How to use Learning Teaching Material

Source and Attribution of images
All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created.
This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.