DIY Envelope Fish Puppet

We created fish puppets for a final craft project during Bible School. I thought it would be easier to split the entry into two different posts. Let’s get started with a step-by-step tutorial. Let’s get started.

Materials include scissors, any type of envelope and a marker. (I have two envelopes here, because I was going to create two at once. But my plans were taken over by my assistant.)

Seal the back of the envelope.

Trim one edge of the envelope.

Create a short fold on the opposite end from your cut. This will be your mouth. The longer your fold, the wider the mouth.

Stick your hand inside of the envelope and invert the fold with your free hand.

Pinch the fold together creating a mouth.

Your mouth will be uneven. I like to call these dimples. You want your puppet to have character.

But you also want to even out the mouth as best you can.

This is your puppet before any cuts.

Flatten your puppet to prepare to cut its fins.

Make two symmetrical cuts toward the mouth.

Cut a wavy fishtail.

Refold along the lines of the original envelope to cut the top and bottom fins.

I cut one jagged for the top and a little one for the belly of the fish.

Peel open the fins on the side.

Fluff the top and bottom fins.

And eyes and decorate.

That’s it! So easy.

It helps to have a random assortment of envelopes on hand, as well as pictures of fish to provide inspiration. There are a lot of varieties of fish out there just waiting to inspire your budding artist.