Popsicle sticks (craft sticks, pencils, or chopsticks)
Step 1
Turn the cardboard box on its side with the opening facing you. Carefully cut a narrow slit along the box's bottom with a sharp knife or box cutter. (Parents should do this part.) Because kids will be sliding the popsicle-stick puppets up through the slit while the box is on a table, you will need to cut the slit near the front of the box for stability. The slit should be about 1 inch wide and stop about 1 inch from either side of the box.
Step 2
Print the Backyardigans Puppet Printables & Backdrop and help your child cut out the backs and sides and glue them to the inside of the box. Next, help your child decorate the outside of the box with crayons, colored markers, craft paint, glitter, stickers, or whatever you have around the house.
Step 3
Cut two curtains freehand out of construction paper. Glue or tape them along the sides and the top of the box opening.
Step 4
Then take the Backyardigans Puppet Printables (printed in Step 2) and help your child cut them out and glue or tape them to the popsicle sticks, craft sticks, pencils, or chopsticks.
Step 5
Place the box on a table so the slit hangs over the table. For added stability, you can use a loop of sticky tape to secure the box to the table. Kids can slide the puppets up through the slit and put on their own show.
