Homemade hand puppets to use with finger counting games

 Finger counting games are a big part of learning, right from birth to five years old! Whether you're singing nursery rhymes with toddlers, tickling baby toes, or teaching pre-schoolers to count - finger counting games can do it all! So why not make your rhyme time even more exciting with these homemade hand puppets? I have even made FREE templates for you to print off at home! Keep reading for my easy-to-follow instructions on how to make homemade hand puppets to use with finger counting games.

I originally discovered this hand puppet idea as a first-time mum attending baby massage class. I loved our Little Miracle Massage sessions and so did my son! I learned to play all kinds of games that would help my new baby to learn about his body. Including finger counting games! Here are a few of my favourites, in case you need inspiration:

• Five Little Ducks
• 1-2-3-4-5 Once I caught a fish alive
• This little piggy went to market

To make things even more exciting, I started making my own hand puppets using the exfoliating gloves you can find in any supermarket or chemist. These gloves are perfect for attaching pictures using velcro! 

How do I make the hand puppets?

So to make your own hand puppets, the first thing you need to do is choose which puppets you want to make. Then you can click on the link below and download my free printable flashcards. Once you have printed the flashcards, follow the next steps!

FREE Activity Bundles including the Printable Hand Puppet Flashcards:

• Easter Activity Bundle
• Valentine's Activity Bundle
• Halloween Activity Bundle

It's almost Valentine's day, so grab my Valentine's Activity Bundle to make a postman and four love heart envelopes to use on your hand puppet.

 For bunnies, chicks, piglets and ducks follow the link to my Easter Activity bundle.

 And finally, to get ghosts and pumpkins, download my Halloween Activity Bundle.

Okay I have printed the flashcards, now what?

You will need some basic equipment to get started:

• Scissors
• Sticky Tape and Cardboard (or a laminator and laminating pouches)
• Velcro Dots or strips to cut
• A glove

Once you have printed your chosen flashcards, cut them out! Then make sure to laminate them so they can be attached to your glove. 

If you don't have a laminator, don't panic! 

Just cut out small pieces of cardboard and stick the the flashcards on using glue or sticky tape. Then cover the paper and cardboard in more sticky tape to prevent the paper from tearing (or being chewed) while you're playing.

Once laminated, cut the flashcards out again. Now you're ready to grab the velcro!

 I used velcro dots which you can find on Amazon. But small strips of velcro will work just as easily. You need the 'hook' side stuck to the back of your flashcard, so that it can grab onto the 'loop' effect of the exfoliating gloves.

If you can't find an exfoliating glove, just use the hook and loop velcro dots together to attach to a normal glove.

And now you're ready to play!

What will your first counting game be? If you need inspiration, check out my Five Favourite Valentine's themed play ideas here. I also have a whole blog post devoted to Halloween nursery rhymes. But if you are sticking with chickens and rabbits, don't worry I still have you covered! The Sleeping Bunnies nursery rhyme is always popular with babies and toddlers. Or you can try my very own 'Five Little Chicks' rhyme that I have written out below.

Five Little Chicks (to the tune of Five Little Ducks)

Five Little Chicks went pecking one day. 

Over the fields and far away. 

Mother Hen said 'Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck' 

but one little chick had run amok.

Four Little Chicks went pecking one day. 

Over the fields and far away. 

Mother Hen said 'Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck' 

but one little chick had run amok.

Repeat above verses for:

Three Little Chicks...

Two Little Chicks...

One Little Chick...

Daddy Cockerel went pecking one day,

Over the fields and far away.

Daddy Cockerel said 'cock-a-doodle-doo'

And all five little chicks said BOO!

How will you use your hand puppets?

I hope you have loved making your homemade hand puppets to use with finger counting games! I would love to see how you include them in your play setups. Tag me in your posts @craftytoddlercompany and remember to join our online Crafty Toddler Community for more fun ideas to share with your child!

If you liked this post, you might also like:

• Nursery rhyme inspired activities for pre-school children
• How to make a DIY post box for early years play
• Halloween themed nursery rhymes to sing in October

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