It’s the Year of the Rabbit – Celebrate By Making our 12 Zodiac Animals Puppets!

Use this printable template to create a Year of the Rabbit string puppet for your Lunar New Year classroom activities and when your students are learning about the different Lunar Zodiac animals. But wait a minute…are string puppets ever actually used during the Lunar New Year?

String puppets, also known as marionettes, are not typically associated with Lunar New Year celebrations specifically. They are a traditional form of puppetry that is found in various cultures around the world and are used for various types of performances such as plays, puppet shows, and storytelling.

However, in some countries or regions, during the lunar new year or other major festivals, it’s not uncommon to see street performances that include traditional puppetry, where different kinds of puppets are being used, including string puppets. This can be a great way to attract people and make the celebration more lively and entertaining.

In any case, different countries, regions, and cultures may have different traditions and practices associated with Lunar New Year celebrations, so it’s important to approach this topic with an understanding that there may be a wide range of customs and practices associated with the holiday.

How to Create a Your New Year Animals String Puppets

Print and photocopy the Year of the Rabbit String Puppet Craft Template. You will need one per student. The puppets can be made using regular paper or using lightweight cardstock.

1. Decorate and cut out each part of the puppet.
2. Punch holes through each of the small circles on the template.
3. Fold the rabbit’s body along the two dashed lines (the fold becomes the rabbit’s belly).
4. Glue the ears onto each side of the face. Use brads or glue to attach the legs, the head, and the tail to the body.
5. Tape one piece of string to the back of the head and another piece of string to the back of the body near the tail. Attach the other end of each string to a wooden ruler or pop sticks.

Download & Print Your Chinese New Year 2023 Zodiac Animal Craft Template

This resource is available to download in PDF – making it a super easy craft to do in your classroom because all you need is this template and some basic supplies!