Inspired by Dr. Seuss’ lovable and courageous storybook character, craft your own Lorax stick puppets and puppet theater. This fun project is a great springboard for conversation with kids about the environment, how our actions impact others, and how to make a difference in the world. It also brings the beloved story, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, to life.
Discussion Points for Parents/Teachers
- The importance of protecting the environment and natural resources
- How our actions impact others
- Advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves
- How kids can make a difference in the world
- This project is great for scissors skills, storytelling and imaginative play.
Supplies
- Newsprint or paper grocery bag to cover workspace
- White cardstock
- Colored markers
- Scissors
- Tape
- Wooden craft sticks
- Glue stick or white glue
- Character images: The Lorax, Humming Fish, Brown Barbaloots, Swomee Swans and Truffula Trees
- Tri-fold display board
- Craft knife
- Colored paper and/or colored pom-poms
Directions
Stick puppets
- Print and color character images below (or draw and color your own). In the story, the Lorax is orange with a yellow mustache, Barbaloots are brown, Swomee Swans are orange with yellow heads, Humming Fish are light orange.*
- Cut out each character and glue them to craft sticks.
Puppet Theater
- About 2-3 inches from the top and each side panel, use a craft knife (parent’s job) to cut an opening of at least 11 x 14 inches in the center panel (this will be the puppet theater window).
- Decorate the theater with hand-drawn Truffula Trees and grass if you wish (see photo for reference). Optional: create tree tufts with colored pom-poms.
The puppet theater can be used for other puppet shows—just create additional puppet characters!
*Allow children to exercise their creativity and color the characters however they want.
Please click the pictures above for 8.5 x 11 inch pdf files that can be printed for coloring and making puppets.
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Alyssa Navapanich is a local art enthusiast who teaches art to elementary school kids in North County.
Click here for more Lorax-inspired crafts, including goodie bags and Truffula Tree seed treats.
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