Whimsy at Your Fingertips: Making Felt Finger Puppets from Scraps & Imagination

 

If you’ve ever looked at a pile of felt scraps or an old stuffed animal on its last leg and thought, “There’s still a little magic left in that,” you’re absolutely right. Welcome to our cozy corner of creativity, where slow living and storytelling meet tiny stitches and big imaginations.

On our homeschool journey, I’m always looking for simple, meaningful projects that nourish both creativity and connection. One of our favorite discoveries? Felt finger puppets—sweet, hand-stitched friends made entirely from materials we already had around the house. From forest friends and woodland critters to mushrooms and moons, each little puppet is a character waiting to tell a story.

Why Finger Puppets?

Finger puppets are more than just adorable. They’re:

 Easy to make with little hands

 Great for storytelling and imaginative play

 Eco-friendly when made from recycled or scrap materials

 Perfect for building fine motor skills through sewing and stitching

 A reminder that creativity doesn’t require a trip to the craft store—just a little time and intention

What You’ll Need

Scrap felt or fabric: We used leftover felt in earthy tones and whimsical prints

Stuffing: Repurpose fluff from old pillows or well-loved stuffed animals

Needle & thread: Embroidery thread adds a touch of handmade charm

Scissors

(Optional) Embroidery floss: For faces, flowers, stars, etc.

How We Made Them

1. Sketch your characters: We started with simple shapes: an acorn, a mushroom, a star-shaped tree spirit, a sleepy bunny, and even a garden snail.

2. Cut two identical shapes : Front and back. Keep them small enough to fit on a finger, but large enough to stitch easily.

3. Add personality: Before sewing them together, we embroidered tiny faces, sleepy eyes, leaves, or flowers.

4. Stitch & stuff : Using a simple whipstitch or blanket stitch, sew the edges together, leaving a small gap to add a puff of stuffing, then close it up.

5. Play and tell stories: Once finished, these little friends are ready to take the stage (or the breakfast table) for imaginative play, storytelling, or even nature-themed puppet shows.