Use puppets during circle time to invite children to sit in their designated spot and to settle down for activities. The puppet can also be used to remind children of group rules and procedures.
Puppets can depict a main character from a children's story. Hold up the book, but instead of reading it, have the puppet tell the story. Periodically share a picture from the book to set a new scene or introduce a new character.
Act out lyrics to a song with puppets. Use a farm puppet when singing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
Play the traditional game of "Simon Says," but use the puppet to direct the children to do simple motions. Begin the commands with "Puppet says..." The puppet can also ask the children to make sounds and faces when they feel happy, scared, excited or sad.
Invite children to make character stick puppets. Let them use markers to color and add facial features. When completed, help the children to act out stories like the characters in "The Three Little Pigs."
Reinforce concept learning or a theme using a puppet. The puppet can interact with the children by asking group questions and problem solving. A carrot puppet could introduce nutrition concepts and a bee puppet could relate facts about insects.
Let children make their own puppets. Put out simple puppet making materials and let the children use their imaginations to create their own characters. For very young children the simplest puppet can be a sticker placed on the tip of a finger.