Puppet Feelings Show for Preschoolers
Use simple puppets to act out common social situations and feelings — giving kids a safe way to explore big emotions through play.
What You'll Need
- 12 sock puppets, paper bag puppets, or stuffed animals
- 2Markers for puppet faces (optional)
- 3Cardboard box stage (optional)
What You'll Need
2 puppets — sock puppets, paper bag puppets, or just stuffed animals
Markers for drawing puppet faces (optional)
A cardboard box "stage" to perform behind (optional but adds fun)
How to Play
Create or grab two puppets and give each a name and personality.
Set up a scenario: "Max wants to play with the ball, but Lily already has it."
Use one puppet to model asking: "Can I have a turn with the ball, please?"
Let your child control the other puppet and decide the response.
Explore different outcomes: What if Lily says yes? What if she says no? What if they share?
Name the feelings: "How does Max feel when Lily says no? He looks disappointed."
Hand both puppets to your child and let them create new scenarios.
Why It Works
Puppets create a safe psychological distance between the child and difficult emotions or situations. It's easier to explore what "Max" does when he's angry than to talk about their own anger. Through the puppet, children rehearse social scripts — how to ask for a turn, how to handle rejection, how to compromise. These scripts become available to them on the playground when they face the same situations for real. Puppets are essentially a social skills rehearsal stage.
Tips
Base scenarios on real conflicts your child has had. "What if two puppets both want the same toy at school?"
Don't correct the puppet's behavior. If your child's puppet hits the other one, explore it: "What happened when he did that? How did the other puppet feel?"
Simple sock puppets with googly eyes are engaging enough. You don't need anything elaborate.
This is an especially powerful tool for children who struggle to talk about their feelings directly.
Age Adaptation Tips
Preschoolers can follow multi-step instructions. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to predict what will happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: 2 sock puppets, paper bag puppets, or stuffed animals, markers for puppet faces (optional), cardboard box stage (optional).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 3-5 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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