Printable Halloween Puppets for Kids – Free Puppet
Looking for a fun Halloween craft that kids can actually play with after they make it?
These printable Halloween puppets are such a fun little activity for October! Kids can cut, fold and assemble their own spooky character, then slip their fingers into the paper straps on the back to make the puppet’s mouth open and close.
And because we like our Halloween activities more cute than creepy, these little characters are perfect for preschool, kindergarten, elementary classrooms, Halloween parties, or a quiet afternoon at home.
You can download the Halloween Vampire puppet for FREE below, and if your kids want to make the whole spooky crew, the complete Halloween puppet set is available in my shop.
Meet the Halloween Puppet Crew
The complete printable set includes a fun mix of classic Halloween characters, including:
- Frankenstein
- Mummy
- Vampire
- Witch
- Jack-o’-lantern
- Skeleton
- Grim Reaper
- Zombie
- And more spooky little characters
Each character has a big movable mouth, which makes these much more than a simple cut-and-paste craft.
Once they’re assembled, kids can make the characters talk, tell silly Halloween stories, put on their own puppet show, or even use them for Halloween-themed dramatic play.
Free Vampire Halloween Finger Puppet
Let’s start with a free one!
I’ve included the Vampire finger puppet as a free printable so you can try the craft before making the entire set.
Print one for a quick Halloween activity, or make several if you’re using them with a small group.
What You’ll Need
You only need a few basic supplies:
- Printable Halloween puppet template
- Printer
- White cardstock or heavier printer paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Crayons or markers if you create a black-and-white version
I recommend cardstock if you have it because it makes the puppet a little sturdier for playing. Regular printer paper can still work, especially if you want something quick and easy.
How to Make the Halloween Puppets
These look impressive once they’re finished, but the assembly is quite simple.
1. Print the template.
Print your chosen Halloween character at 100% or actual size.
2. Cut out the puppet.
Carefully cut around the outside of the character and cut out the two numbered paper strips.
3. Fold the finger strips.
Each strip has dashed fold lines. Fold along the lines so the strip forms a small raised “bridge.”
4. Fold the puppet’s mouth.
Fold along the dashed lines across the mouth section. There are folds at the top, middle and bottom of the mouth.
Press along each fold firmly so the creases are nice and crisp.
5. Turn the puppet over.
Glue one folded paper strip behind the upper section of the puppet and the second strip behind the lower section.
Allow the glue to dry.
6. Make your puppet talk!
Slide your fingers underneath the two paper loops and move your fingers together and apart.
The mouth opens and closes — and your Halloween character is ready to come to life!
Turn It Into a Halloween Puppet Show
This is my favorite part. Once the cutting and gluing are finished, don’t pack the puppets away!
Let the kids use them for pretend play.
They could create a silly Halloween story about Frankenstein losing his Halloween candy, a witch whose broom won’t fly, or a mummy who keeps getting tangled in his bandages.
You can even place the puppets in a basket and let children choose two characters before making up a short story about them.
It’s an easy way to sneak a little storytelling, language and creative thinking into a Halloween craft.
Halloween Classroom Activity
These printable Halloween puppets would also make a fun low-prep Halloween classroom activity.
Print the templates ahead of time and set out scissors and glue. Children can assemble their character and then use the finished puppets for:
Halloween centers, indoor recess, early finishers, classroom Halloween parties, dramatic play, storytelling activities, or take-home Halloween crafts.
For younger children, an adult may need to help with some of the cutting and folding.
Get the Complete Printable Halloween Puppets Set
Did Frankenstein make some new friends?
If your kids enjoyed making the free puppet, you can grab the complete Printable Halloween Finger Puppet Set in my shop.
The full set includes a whole collection of spooky-but-cute characters, so kids can make their own little Halloween puppet crew.
Free Halloween Puppet
This printable is available FREE for my email subscribers as part of the FunFilled Printables freebie membership.
Not ready to subscribe? You can still grab the complete Halloween Puppet Bundle from my shop at a discounted price.
GET IT FREE – JOIN THE FREEBIE CLUB
More Easy Halloween Printables for Kids
If you’re planning Halloween activities, you might also like:
Halloween Bingo
A simple print-and-play Halloween party or classroom game.
