Nutcracker Craft for Kids: Nutcracker Ballet Stick Puppets (with Free Templates)

Nutcracker Craft for Kids (with Free Templates) Post Preview: Here are step-by-step directions and four free printable patterns for Nutcracker ballet stick puppets. You and your kids can use these as a hands-on Nutcracker activity while studying the Nutcracker ballet for songs, storytelling, and more.

When I was young, I took ballet for a short time. Then when I was in elementary school, we saw a short preview of The Nutcracker Ballet during a convocation. I was in love and was just sure that I should dance in the Nutcracker one day. 

Of course, that never happened. I came close to living vicariously through our daughter. She took ballet lessons for four years and just before she was old enough to audition for the Nutcracker, she decided she was done with ballet and moved on to another style of dance instead. Oh well. What can you do, right?

I still love The Nutcracker Ballet though, so I’m sharing a Nutcracker craft you can make at home or at school while learning about the Nutcracker or after seeing it.

As a fun hands-on activity, I have this super cute set of Nutcracker craft stick puppets. To make these stick puppets, I have step-by-step directions. Plus, I have a free downloadable set of four printable patterns.

Then, you can also get more ideas for Hands-on Learning Activities for Studying about the Nutcracker Ballet.

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Nutcracker Craft for Kids: Nutcracker Stick Puppets Free Printable Patterns

Your kids or students may be able to make these stick puppets independently or they may need assistance with portions of the craft. If they are younger, you may need to do some or all of the cutting. Then they can assemble the Nutcracker stick puppets.

Of course, if they aren’t able to do any of the work on the stick puppets, you can use the patterns to make them and they can use them for storytelling and props.

You can also set up your own stick puppet theater as a fun addition to making this craft.

Supplies Needed for the Nutcracker Stick Puppets Craft

• Colored cardstock (here’s a great assortment pack with 18 different colors)
• Pencil for tracing
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• Craft sticks (Popsicle sticks)
• Fine tip black sharpie or black gel pen
• Printable patterns (available for free farther down in the post)

Note about Instructions for Nutcracker Craft

Before I move on to the instructions, I wanted to share something about the templates. I’m only going to walk you through assembling two of the four types of templates. You’ll use the same types of steps for the other templates.

There are two different types of nutcracker puppets. You can make them both or just the style you like the best. I’ll walk you through one of them.

I’ll also walk you through how to put together the Mouse King.

There is a ballerina stick puppet template for Clara. Once you’ve seen how to put the other stick puppets together, you shouldn’t have any problems making your ballerina stick puppet. Clara is very easy to put together!

Here is a picture that includes both the nutcracker and Clara (the ballerina) that you can come back and look at for reference after you read through the directions for the other puppets.

How to Make Your Stick Puppet Nutcracker Craft

These directions are for the bigger nutcracker who has a fancier hat. There is another nutcracker template that is slightly different (as pictured above with the Mouse King and Clara).

Step 1:

(a) Select your preferred colored sheets of cardstock for this craft.

(b) Print the downloadable template patterns and cut out the shapes carefully. Trace the patterns onto your selected cardstock.

(c) Cut out the traced patterns from the cardstock.

Step 2:

(a) Attach the zigzag bordered strip along the top edge of the hat cutout.

(b) Then, glue the smaller parts of the uniform onto the large part of the uniform.

(c) Attach the hair cutout on the backside of the base cutout.

(d) Finally, attach the boots along the bottom of the uniform.

Step 3:

(a) Attach the hat on the top side of the base cutout; aligning the short end of the hat with the base.

(b) Next, glue the uniform on the bottom side of the base cutout.

Step 4:

Use a fine tip black sharpie or black gel pen to draw the eyes, mustache, nose, and other facial features onto your nutcracker. Use the picture as a guide.

Step 5:

Finally, glue your finished nutcracker craft onto a craft stick (popsicle stick) to complete your nutcracker puppet.

How to Make Your Mouse King Stick Puppet Craft

Step 1:

(a) Select your preferred colored sheets of cardstock for this craft.

(b) Print the downloadable template patterns and cut out the shapes carefully. Trace the patterns onto your selected cardstock.

(c) Cut out the traced Mouse King patterns from the cardstock.

Step 2:

(a) Attach the mouse head cutout on the top side of the base cutout.

(b) Next, glue the inner ear cutouts inside the ear portions of the head cutout.

Step 3:

Attach the rectangular shapes on the base. Attach the top one horizontally to make a jacket and the bottom one vertically to make pants.

Step 4:

(a) Attach the strip cutouts: one horizontally along the top of the jacket (the top rectangle) and the shorter strip along the middle of both rectangles to make a belt.

(b) Attach the boots on the bottom side of the base.

Step 5:

Finally, glue the crown on the top of the Mouse King’s head and add his cape on the back of the puppet.

Step 6:

(a) Use a fine tip black sharpie or black gel pen to draw the eyes, nose, and other details on the Mouse King craft.

(b) After the craft is complete, attach it on a craft stick (popsicle stick) to complete your Mouse King puppet.

Terms of Use for the Nutcracker Craft Printable Templates

These templates are free for personal, classroom, and group use.

This set may not be sold, published, or hosted on other websites. (Example: an individual, church, or another blogger may not upload the file onto their website for others to download there.)

There are additional terms of use – you can read them here.

Using the printable means you agree to the terms. Thanks!

Free Printable Nutcracker Ballet Stick Puppets Templates

Download the Free Printable Templates…

Larger Nutcracker (with “fancy” hat)

Mouse King

Clara (Ballerina)

Nutcracker

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