Why do it?

Sock puppets provide an opportunity for:

  • being creative
  • using language
  • pretend play
  • using imagination
  • working and playing with others.
  • and it a good use for all those single socks!

How to do it

You could use:

  • some adult’s sock
  • felt tips or stickers
  • wool for hair
  • needle and thread
  • buttons for eyes
  • scraps of material for clothing.

Use felt tips to draw eyes, a nose and a mouth on light coloured socks. Stitch them on if socks are dark ones.

Wool can be glued on or stitched in for hair and/or whiskers.

Scraps of fabric can be wrapped around as scarves, cloaks and skirts for the puppets.

Use the puppets to act out family activities (shopping, visiting and going to the park) and/or stories you have shared.

Using more te reo Māori

Te reo Māori English
Puppet
Sock
Character
Wool
To sew
Button
Clothes
Face
Eyes
Ear
Mouth
Lip
Hair
Smile
I mahia e ia hē kāretao mai te tōkena She made a puppet from a sock
Ko wai tēnei? Who's this?
Ko Mita tēnei This is Mita
Ko wai te ingoa o tō keretao? What's your puppet's name?
Kei hea tana kāinga? Where does she live?
Kei te haere ia ki whea? Where is she going?
Kei te haere ia ki te toa hokomaha He's going to the supermarket