Wednesday, July 5, 2017

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Dragon Marionette Puppet for Kids & Zoey and Sassafras

If you're looking for a dragon preschool craft, you will love this marionette!



We were inspired to make them to go with our read aloud early chapter book, Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons & Marshmallows, and the kids have been playing with them constantly since we finished!


I am not even joking when I tell you that they all took their finished dragons and played a "dragon game" for more than two hours on the day we made them!

I like to let our younger kids hold something when we read chapter books out loud, and these make the most awesome reading props for one of my new favorite books: Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows! (image below is an affiliate link)


The story is perfect for early elementary readers to read by themselves, but the story line is so delightful and engaging that I read it with all my kids (preschoolers through 4th grade). It is the perfect combination of whimsy, fantasy, and science processing! In the story, Zoey decides to carry on a family tradition of helping injured magical creatures. In Marshmallows and Dragons, the first book of the series, she rescues Marshmallow--a baby dragon. She uses the scientific method to figure out how to help the dragon, compares and contrasts him to other reptiles, and even keeps a sort of science notebook -- all processes and skills that we use and can reference during our own experiments and adventures. Plus, the science teacher in me loves seeing my kids want to wear science goggles and do experiments!

I am seriously in love with this book, and am so delighted to bring you this dragon pattern that you can use to make your own dragons too. The dragon head in this pattern even matches the dragon in the story -- thank you Innovation Press and Asia Citro for the clipart!

So, how do you make your own dragon marionettes? Just follow these steps!

Dragon Craft:

1- Gather supplies. Print this template (best on cardstock) and pull out 2 craft sticks, balloon curling ribbon (or string), markers, glitter, sequins (we got our sequins from CraftProjectIdeas), hot glue, buttons, and any other embellishments you and your kiddos want!

2- Cut out the template:


3- Color and decorate your dragon pieces and fold the body like an accordian. I am completely serious when I tell you we had "girl dragons" and "boy dragons."



4- Assemble the dragon. I used hot glue because I'm not very patient.  ;)  


Also glue your craft sticks together to form a "t" shape.


Optional: One of my kids wanted to glue a toothpick to each wing to make it more stable.



5- Attach the head to a piece of balloon curling ribbon about 10 inches long. Repeat for the wings and the tail. Then attach the other end of the ribbons to the craft sticks.





6- Ta da!! That's it! Now you can name your dragon and take it on grand adventures...or to your next story time!







I would looooove to see the dragons you make!! Feel free to send me an email, leave a comment, or even put a picture up on my Preschool Powol Packets Facebook page!


Happy Educating,
Carla

Disclaimer: I was provided a free set of sequins from CraftProjectIdeas and a free copy of Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons & Marshmallows to use however I saw fit. I only recommend books and products that I love and am excited to use!









I may share at any of these parties!




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