Film Canister Finger Puppets

By Kathy Ross

When you're ready to load your camera, don't toss out the film canister. The plastic container makes a lively finger puppet that's easy and fun to make. All the dressing materials can probably be found in various drawers and boxes throughout your home.

"Between my job, fall birthdays, and the holidays we had plenty of canisters," a mom from Nebraska reported. A mom from Ohio echoed that sentiment.  "These things are growing out of the woodwork! We take lots of pictures so no problem." If you don't have canisters or if the children want to make more, ask a local photo store if they have discarded canisters to donate.

In addition to the film canisters you'll need colored plastic tape (electrician's tape), tacky glue, and collage materials (yarn bits, ribbon, buttons, sequins and wiggle eyes). Wrap the tape around the canister's top or bottom to distinguish the body from the head of the puppet. Add hair and a face, and decorate the body using whatever collage materials you like. Turn each canister over to fill it with a small amount of fiberfill to give the puppet a snug fit on a little finger. Use the canister lids (slide them on the closed end) to make delightful hats for the puppets.

"We used all kinds of things that I had from past crafts. Yarn, wiggle eyes, sequins, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, feathers, colored tape, lace, trim, buttons, foam shapes, curly ribbon." said Peggy LaClair, mother of three.

Lynda Hannan invited a 6-year-old girl to help her children, ages 4 and 1 1/2, with the project. "Well, Miss Claire used yellow pipe cleaners for a sporty flipped-up 'do,' wiggle eyes, and sequin leaves for a stunning gown. The film canister top looked really cute on top like a beret!"

Beth W., whose boys are 9 and 11 years old, said, "I think it is so amazing that the two of them started with the same materials and each saw such different things emerge from them."

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