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View Full Version : Where to Get Good Puppets?



Gena
11-17-2008, 03:27 PM
DS has recently shown an interest in puppets, after years of being afraid of them. We think puppets might be a good way to work on his social skills. Where do you get good quality puppets that are not too expensive? We would like puppets that look like children, not animals or fantasy characters.

Thanks.

citymama
11-17-2008, 04:21 PM
We love Folkmanis puppets - they have regular size ones, as well as smaller finger puppets. We've bought them at our local toy store, but amazon.com sells them as well. However,we only have animal themed ones - it looks like they have human ones as well: http://www.folkmanis.com/characterpup_detail.php


Do you think human puppets may be a little overwhelming for your boy? (I know my DD works out people-anxiety stuff via her finger puppets and stuffed animals - she won't have anything to do with dolls.) And if you want human style ones, then how about Waldorf dolls (which are about the least threatening human style dolls out there)?

I've seen human finger puppets sold by Manhattan Baby but they are usually characters (princess, fairy, etc).

Good luck!

MmeSunny
11-17-2008, 09:34 PM
I second the FolkManis puppets. They are really good quality and last a long time. However, like PP said, there are only animals--usually very realistic ones. Even my middle schoolers love the big black crow that we have--it's about 16" tall! One of my classmates was a professional puppeteer and she LOVES folkmanis puppets.

You can sometimes find them at Barnes and Noble as well. Check eBay for them as well. I found most of mine at Marshalls a couple of years ago before I realized how awesome/expensive the were retail.

For a less expensive option to just try out the "puppet option" IKEA has lots of sets of finger puppets in people, animals, etc and a little cardboard puppet theatre for them. Very cute. Won't last forever, but before investing in a $24 folkmanis puppet, it might be worth a shot.

MamaKath
11-17-2008, 10:04 PM
If you are looking for reasonable people puppets, take a look at the Melissa and Doug ones. I have a couple at school and they are really neat (cowboy and ballerina). You can even switch the stick that manipulates their hand to the other hand. They have held up well, but I don't put them out for the classroom kids to play with.

Each year, Costco has some puppets usually a little closer to Christmas. They are either animals or people with occupations, all with very simple design and easy to manipulate. They have held up very well, even being washed in the machine.

Finger puppets are also a good way to get started with puppets. While they can be pricey also, they often come in sets of 4 or 5. Ikea and Target often have inexpensive versions. Costco in the past has also had a great finger puppet table top theater, something to watch for.

Folkmanis has gorgeous puppets!!! They do tons of different animals which I don't think is quite what you are looking for.

Oh and my kids have had the "Full Bodied Open Mouth Puppets" from the Constructive Kids catalog. My mom got them a few years back and they have been great! A family of 4 is about $30 and they come in different skin tones/ethnicity.

Links:
http://www.cptoys.com/school/default.htm (search for people puppets)

http://www.melissaanddoug.com/dyn_category.php?k=88556

http://store.letusteachkids.com/servlet/Categories?category=Puppet%3A14%22People

http://www.target.com/gp/search/191-3740975-1329256?field-keywords=puppets&url=index%3Dtarget&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0

blisstwins
11-18-2008, 11:21 AM
Weelittle Sprouts has 30% off right now (see bargain alerts) and they carry FOlkmanis.

Gena
11-18-2008, 12:46 PM
Do you think human puppets may be a little overwhelming for your boy?

That's a good question and something we need to consider. Animal puppets won't work because it is difficult to get DS to accept animal charaters that talk. Hopefully we can find some non-threatening human puppets.

The Folkmania Puppets are beautiful, but they are probably too intense/realistic for DS.

I like the Melissa and Doug Puppets. Do they have any that look like children, or are they all occupations?

The Constructive Playthings puppets look good too. They are definately a possibility.

Thanks!

JoyNChrist
11-18-2008, 03:33 PM
We've been happy with our Melissa & Doug puppets.