By Kenya Campos
It is often easy to find traditional puppets for sale. There are many shops and toy stores which not only carry but often specialize in a variety of puppets. Locating handmade full body puppets for sale may be more difficult. The internet can provide a great deal of insight on where to find these and other hard to find costumes, puppets and other objects.
The puppets are usually made based on a specific character, movie, television show or theme. There are those which one can wear as clothing and others which can be carried or ridden on stilts. Regardless, these puppets often bring a sense of humor and excitement into many communities.
Popular children oriented television and amusement park entrances were some of the first to use full sized puppets. Art and music festivals, schools, theaters and other similar venues started using them a bit later in education, festivals, plays and other programs. While some are based on well known characters, others are based on fairy tales and creatures like dragons and unicorns.
The puppets are usually made based on a specific character, movie, television show or theme. There are those which one can wear as clothing and others which can be carried or ridden on stilts. Regardless, these puppets often bring a sense of humor and excitement into many communities.
Popular children oriented television and amusement park entrances were some of the first to use full sized puppets. Art and music festivals, schools, theaters and other similar venues started using them a bit later in education, festivals, plays and other programs. While some are based on well known characters, others are based on fairy tales and creatures like dragons and unicorns.
Lighter weight costumes host a number of benefits over ones made of heavier fabrics. The wind can often help when using winged characters, or those which have various items like colorful fans attached. This is because when used on a windy day, it leaves the individual or puppeteer free to move other parts of the costume or puppet.
Whether purchased locally, online, or handmade at home, these giant characters can offer a variety of education, entertainment and fun to all who come in contact with them. From children and teens to adults, almost nothing can bring a smile to a face quicker than a life sized puppet, especially one in action.
Whether buying or making a full sized body puppet, there are some things which are important to consider. The individual wearing a costume design has to be able to see, breathe and walk without tripping oneself or others. Creating air holes in the nose area and eyes are of great importance as to provide a safe experiencing while dressed in any costume. It is highly recommended that those walking on stilts attached to a giant puppet be trained by a professional stilt walker to avoid injury.
Being able to breathe easily is another reason to select and use light weight fabrics. Many park employees of the past have often complained about the heat while wearing costumes made of leather, velvet or other thick and heavy fabrics. Two great options for designing lighter weight costumes and puppets are that of cotton and hemp both of which are generally available at fabric stores and online.
When creating a character based on a television show or movie, permission from the studio carrying the show, or those who have carried the show in the past is often a requirement. Characters pulled from the public domain are generally okay to use because any and all contracts have expired or contracts the creators derived
Whether purchased locally, online, or handmade at home, these giant characters can offer a variety of education, entertainment and fun to all who come in contact with them. From children and teens to adults, almost nothing can bring a smile to a face quicker than a life sized puppet, especially one in action.
Whether buying or making a full sized body puppet, there are some things which are important to consider. The individual wearing a costume design has to be able to see, breathe and walk without tripping oneself or others. Creating air holes in the nose area and eyes are of great importance as to provide a safe experiencing while dressed in any costume. It is highly recommended that those walking on stilts attached to a giant puppet be trained by a professional stilt walker to avoid injury.
Being able to breathe easily is another reason to select and use light weight fabrics. Many park employees of the past have often complained about the heat while wearing costumes made of leather, velvet or other thick and heavy fabrics. Two great options for designing lighter weight costumes and puppets are that of cotton and hemp both of which are generally available at fabric stores and online.
When creating a character based on a television show or movie, permission from the studio carrying the show, or those who have carried the show in the past is often a requirement. Characters pulled from the public domain are generally okay to use because any and all contracts have expired or contracts the creators derived
Whether buying or making a full sized body puppet, there are some things which are important to consider. The individual wearing a costume design has to be able to see, breathe and walk without tripping oneself or others. Creating air holes in the nose area and eyes are of great importance as to provide a safe experiencing while dressed in any costume. It is highly recommended that those walking on stilts attached to a giant puppet be trained by a professional stilt walker to avoid injury.
Being able to breathe easily is another reason to select and use light weight fabrics. Many park employees of the past have often complained about the heat while wearing costumes made of leather, velvet or other thick and heavy fabrics. Two great options for designing lighter weight costumes and puppets are that of cotton and hemp both of which are generally available at fabric stores and online.
When creating a character based on a television show or movie, permission from the studio carrying the show, or those who have carried the show in the past is often a requirement. Characters pulled from the public domain are generally okay to use because any and all contracts have expired or contracts the creators derived at the beginning of the character's premiere have expired. It is still good to double-check before moving forward so as to not find oneself in a lawsuit.
Insurance is another aspect when either wearing a costume puppet or working with stilts. Either of which can often pose safety risks depending on how, when and where the characters or designs are used. This is why many event promoters either provide overall liability coverage during an event, or require participants to do so.
Being able to breathe easily is another reason to select and use light weight fabrics. Many park employees of the past have often complained about the heat while wearing costumes made of leather, velvet or other thick and heavy fabrics. Two great options for designing lighter weight costumes and puppets are that of cotton and hemp both of which are generally available at fabric stores and online.
When creating a character based on a television show or movie, permission from the studio carrying the show, or those who have carried the show in the past is often a requirement. Characters pulled from the public domain are generally okay to use because any and all contracts have expired or contracts the creators derived at the beginning of the character's premiere have expired. It is still good to double-check before moving forward so as to not find oneself in a lawsuit.
Insurance is another aspect when either wearing a costume puppet or working with stilts. Either of which can often pose safety risks depending on how, when and where the characters or designs are used. This is why many event promoters either provide overall liability coverage during an event, or require participants to do so.