Activity

Puppet show

A puppet show puts a story in the hands of something a child can see being made: a figure of cloth, felt or wood that moves, talks and feels. For young children that mix of real object and living character is fascinating, and it makes stories easier to hold onto. A calm, well-made puppet show gives a child time to watch, to believe, and to try the same kind of pretending at home.

For 3-year-olds

At three, a child is only just learning that an object can stand in for someone real, so a puppet sits right on that line. Slow, deliberate movement and a small, uncluttered set help enormously here, because the eye can follow one thing at a time. Look for a single simple story, a warm voice telling it, and pauses long enough for your child to take in what just happened. Visible hands or strings are not a problem; they often make the pretend easier to accept.

S01 E05

Esme & Roy

Noisy Naptime

Balanced

recommended age co-watching from 3

Esme, a young girl, and her monster best friend Roy work as monstersitters. In this episode they look after a small monster that cannot settle for naptime, and they try a series of quiet activities, including a puppet show, to help it rest. After several attempts the little monster finally falls asleep, and the characters celebrate together. The story takes place mostly inside a home in their monster neighbourhood.

S01 E04

Andy Pandy

Puppeteer Pandy

Stimulating

recommended age co-watching from 3

Andy Pandy, a puppet boy in a striped romper and nightcap, plays with his friends Looby Loo the rag doll and Teddy the bear in a pastel nursery. He slips a sock with button eyes over his hand to make a puppet, and the friends also spend time in a garden with flowers, planted carrots and a red worm. An off-screen narrator describes the action throughout. The episode ends on a 'JimbleJam' card with a 'Play Next Episode' prompt.

See all Puppet show shows for 3-year-olds

For 5-year-olds

By five, a child knows a puppet is being worked by someone and enjoys it anyway, often noticing the craft as much as the story. That opens room for longer plots, several characters with their own voices, and humour that plays with words. Look for stories where a real problem gets talked through rather than fixed instantly, so your child can follow the reasoning. Shows at this age often spark their own puppet play afterwards with socks, toys or a blanket over a chair.

S15 E06

Arthur

Cents-Less

Balanced

recommended age co-watching from 3

Mr. Ratburn challenges his class to spend no money for a whole weekend and report back on Monday. Muffy, who is used to buying whatever she wants, works through a chain of trades to get a sought-after wrestler figure and finally learns to barter by organising Brain's baseball card collection. Along the way Buster trades jokes for food, Mr. Ratburn revives his old puppets to earn meals, and Francine resists spending a birthday gift. The class returns to school having found they are valuable even without money, and several decide to start saving.

See all Puppet show shows for 5-year-olds

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Puppet show

For 3-year-olds

Esme & Roy

Andy Pandy

For 5-year-olds

Arthur

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