Do you ever watch squirrels in your yard or at the park? They skitter up the sides of the trees and suddenly stop and shake their tales from side to side or back and forth.
Make your own gray squirrel stick puppet and then put on a show!
What you need:
Gray or white paper (sturdy, not too flimsy)
Craft stick or straw or cardboard strip for a handle
Scissors
Glue
Crayons, markers
Squirrel template (see below)
Paint (gray or black and white) and crumpled paper towel (optional)
What you do:
Print out one of the squirrel templates and cut it out.
Trace the squirrel onto sturdy paper and cut it out.
Add detail to the squirrel’s tail and body using crayons or markers.
If you have paint, put a little in a plastic tray or take-out container and then crumple up a paper towel. Dip the towel in the paint, then dab it on a piece of scrap paper to remove excess paint, and finally dab it onto the squirrel’s body and tail. You can dab lots of times before dipping back into the paint. The effect almost looks like fur! For an even more realistic effect, add small short lines and dots with crayons once the paint dries.
Draw an eye on white paper, cut it out, and glue it on the squirrel’s head. Draw an acorn, cut it out, then glue it to the squirrel’s paw.
Glue the squirrel to the craft stick handle. If you don’t have a craft stick, a straw or cardboard strip will work just as well.
Make as many squirrels as you want! Make up stories for them to act out! Put on a puppet show and have them tell “Nut Nut” jokes instead of “Knock Knock” jokes!
What sound does a nut make when it sneezes? Cashew.
What kind of nut travels in space? An astro-nut.
Nut, nut! Who’s there? Pea. Pea who? Peanut afraid to open the door.
Your squirrel can sing the “Gray Squirrel” song:
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, shake your bushy tail. Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, shake your bushy tale. Wrinkle up your little nose, hold a nut between your toes, Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
Watch a short video with additional lyrics by Dr. Jean:
