Puppet Making:

WishWorks specialise in puppet making workshops for children and adults from the simple to the sublime.
Our workshop leaders have experience working in schools, play schemes, festivals and community centres in England and abroad.
All our workshops have a focus on group cohesion and listening skills, as well as practical and entertaining help towards creativity. Most workshops can be tailored to suit your needs.

“Thanks very much for coming to Buxton and doing your workshop. I know all the children enjoyed it very much and it was nice to meet you. I understand that Whispering Smith was also excellent”

Pat Russell, Buxton Opera house

“Can I just say how delighted everyone was with last week’s workshop - thank you so much! The kids were raving about it, and I had extremely good reports from my staff about the way you handled the kids and ran the session- they all really loved it”

Steve Clark, So You Wanna Be

“We have had lots of positive feedback about our birthday Celebration. Thank you both, on behalf of Hillview and the children who so enjoyed making and playing with their puppets, for your contribution to the success of the day”

Emily Skye, Hillview Family Centre

“Your exciting after-school puppetry workshops were highly popular and we must run some more”

Ben Parkhurst, Head Teacher, Somerhill Junior School

“Thank you for a fantastic workshop. It was really great to see the students so involved!”

Rod puppet workshops

Simple Rod puppets can be made from fabrics in a one hour session, and papier mache rod puppets in two sessions. The techniques are accessible to all and allow for individuality of expression- each Character can vary wildly using the same basic structure.
Rod puppet workshops are ideal for large groups, special needs classes and as an aid to story telling or PSHE teaching.

Sock puppet workshops

Sock puppets have universal appeal and can be made quickly and safely with even very young children.

Marionette workshops

Marionettes (string puppets) are beautiful and magical but can be fiddly for younger children. WishWorks prefer to lead marionette making workshops for year 6 and above. Adult classes can make complex marionettes with expressive faces and luxurious movement. Children’s puppets are softer with fewer strings.

Head in hand puppets (muppets) workshops

WishWorks’ favourite type of puppets! These puppets allow for a lot of expression and individuality. Make a cuddly character with movable mouth and make it sing!

Shadow puppet workshops

Shadow puppets can be made simply enough for early years or detailed enough to illustrate poetry. Puppets can be jointed or static and children in workshops are invited to bring their puppets to life behind a screen. Longer workshops can involve making shadow scenery and working with other projected images.

Giant puppets workshop

Learn carnival skills for processions: make eye-catching costumes and structures. check out the Carnival Workshops page for more details.