Artists use all kinds of materials. Today we will make a puppet and print patterns using fruit and vegetables from the kitchen!
Make a hand puppet
Choose a person you know – Granny, your teacher, a doubles man, a fisherman. Use 3 or 4 different materials:
- an old sock or a paper bag (the body)
- buttons or bottle caps (eyes)
- wool, string or shredded paper (hair)
- cloth scraps or coloured paper (clothes)
- Put the sock or bag on your hand.
- Glue on the eyes, nose and mouth.
- Add hair and clothes.
- Give your puppet a name and make it talk!
Fruit and vegetable prints
The original uploader was Wajihsyed at English Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Deepugn at Malayalam Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- A grown-up cuts the okra, star fruit, lime, potato or a cabbage half.
- Dab the cut side in thick paint.
- Press it firmly on paper, then lift straight up.
- Repeat to make a pattern: star, circle, star, circle …
A repeating pattern is something that happens again and again in the same order. Look for patterns on madras cloth, tiles and fences!
TRY ITPrint a pattern
Choose a game.
Let’s practise
Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.
1. What is a repeating pattern?
Show answer
Something that happens again and again in the same order, like star, circle, star, circle.
2. Name two fruits or vegetables you can print with.
Show answer
For example okra, star fruit, lime, potato, cabbage.
3. What can you use for a puppet’s eyes?
Show answer
Buttons, bottle caps or paper circles.
4. Continue: red, blue, red, blue, …
Show answer
red, blue.
5. Name a person you could make a puppet of.
Show answer
Your own answer.
Quick check
1. What shape does an okra slice print?
Show answer
A star or flower shape.
2. Why press and lift straight up?
Show answer
So the print is clear and does not smudge.
3. Where can you see patterns around you?
Show answer
For example madras cloth, tiles, fences, clothes.
Words to know
Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?
puppet · material · print · pattern · repeat · stamp
Try it at home
- Make a sock puppet of a family member and put on a show.
- Print a wrapping-paper pattern with okra and lime (with a grown-up cutting).
- Find three patterns at home and draw them.
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- make a hand puppet of a familiar person using 3–4 materials
- make repeated patterns with fruit and vegetable prints
Use poster paint or food colouring thickened with flour. Fruit used for printing should not be eaten afterwards.
Previous: Infants 2 lessons (all subjects)
Next: Art: Collage, Buildings and a Model Street
Attributions to media used in this post:
BhindiCutUp.jpg – The original uploader was Wajihsyed at English Wikipedia. – Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Greencarambola cut.jpg – Deepugn at Malayalam Wikipedia – Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.