Make a Snake Puppet

Have you been looking for a new project to work on with kids? Do you need something to do with all your extra Easter eggs? How about making a snake marionette?

Steps

  1. Lay out the materials. For a comprehensive list of materials, see "Things You'll Need" below.
  2. Drill a hole into the tip of each egg half, excluding one "long" egg half. This is set aside for the head of the snake.
  3. Drill two holes as shown in the "long" half set aside for the head. The holes should make an axis horizontally. Paint the eggs halves with spray or acrylic paint at this time, if desired.
  4. Cut a string at least 5 feet (1.5m) long (this is the spinal string). Tie a loop around a bead with the spinal string. Thread the string through the bead and tie it off.
  5. Snake Puppet Step 5.jpg|center]]
  6. String together the rest of the snake body:
    • Use one bead before each "short" half, and two beads before each "long" half.
    • Alternate "short" and "long" egg halves
    • Here is the final body:
  7. Complete the body after you have reached a desirable length:
    • String a few extra beads after the last egg half.
    • Tie off the last bead by tying the string to itself. Loop the string through the last bead once more for strength, and tie if off again. Trim the remaining string.
  8. Make the control rods.
    • To create rod A, drill a hole 1" (2.5cm) from each end of the dowel.
    • To create rod B, drill a hole 1" (2.5cm) from each end as well as a third hole 1/2" (1.2cm) from one end.
    • Sand the splinters off with sandpaper, if necessary.
  9. Lay out the snake body and both rods, as shown. Make sure to position control rod B near the head, with the end with 2 holes nearest the head.
  10. Cut a string at least 3' (.9m) long. Tie one end to the spinal string where the first hole in rod A lines up.
  11. Connect the body to the control rod A by threading it through the hole. Tie the first body string off.
  12. Connect the next 3 body strings:
    • Line up the next control hole with the body, and tie a string as before to the body itself.
    • Before tying off the 2nd string, hold up the control and puppet to make sure that the 2nd string is the same length as the first. Tie the 2nd string to the control.
    • Repeat the process for the next two body strings and control rod B. Hold up the puppet every time to test the string length.
    • Be sure to connect the front-most body string to the inner hole of the front of rod B.
  13. Spread hot glue onto the back of one googly eye using a hot glue gun. Stick the eye onto the front of the head. Repeat for the other eye.
    • Make sure the eyes are between the holes drilled in step 3.
  14. Cut a string at least 6' (1.8m) long. Thread it through the head holes drilled in step 3. Snap the front of the head to the back to make a whole egg.
  15. Tie each end of the string to the outermost hole of control rod B, so that the head hangs in the center of a triangle. Adjust the length so that the head hangs as desired.
  16. Dab hot glue over the holes in the head to secure the head string. Make sure that the head is level while holding the control rod.
  17. Finished!

Tips

  • When tying off the final bead in the tail, hold up the snake by its tail. This way, the body will condense and prevent any awkward gaps.
  • Here is another example of a snake marionette. The body of this one was spray painted to be green with orange speckles.
  • Other options for the face include painting on eyes or adding a tongue out of felt. The sky is the limit!

Warnings

  • Always spray-paint in a well-ventilated area.
  • Be careful with the electric drill. Always wear safety goggles when in use.
  • Hot glue can burn skin.

Things You'll Need

  • 20 to 30 plastic Easter eggs
  • About 100 beads: 1/2" in diameter, wooden
  • Thin String, any of the following varieties will do:
    • Nylon (not plastic) fishing line: 10-15 pound test
    • Upholstery Thread (DO NOT use regular thread; it is not strong enough)
    • Thin twine or strong craft string
  • Two dowel rods, about 1' long and at least 1/2" in diameter
  • Googly eyes (optional)
  • Spray or acrylic paint (optional)
  • Electric drill
  • 1/8" drill bit, or larger (needs to be wide enough to thread string through holes)
  • Scissors
  • Sandpaper
  • Hot glue gun with hot glue

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Sources and Citations

  • Design adapted from a snake marionette as described in the book The Muppets Make Puppets by Cheryl Henson (out of print).

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