Design Technology - Puppets (Key Stage 1)

This unit of work forms part of the PrimaryDT scheme of work that features over 60 units of work designed to deliver outstanding outcomes for primary school children in design technology.
This unit of work has been revised and updated for 2026 and is based on delivering six sessions of design technology that are guided by high quality presentation slides accompanied by all the resources that are needed to deliver the lessons, including a knowledge organiser.

Comprehensive medium-term planning that includes
• Unit overview and sequence of learning
• Prior learning needed and links to other curriculum areas
• Learning statements (from our curriculum pathway document)
• List of resources and background information to support teaching and learning
• Key vocabulary for the unit of work
• Teaching activities (investigative and focus tasks)
• Teaching activities (designing and making)
• Advice for challenge and support strategies
• Assessment indicators that children are keeping up with the curriculum

Accompanying this revised unit is further information about the scheme of work and the progression chart and vocabulary list used when creating the scheme of work.

In this unit children make a hand puppet by marking out, cutting, and joining pieces of fabric together to create a character from a story book. Children learn about different types of puppets and some famous puppets such as Sooty and Sweep, and the Muppets. They understand that a puppeteer makes the puppet appear alive. They draw a puppet design based on a character from a fiction book in the school library. They learn how to thread a needle and the technique of the simple running stitch. They apply and practise the running stitch to create decorative stitching using Binca material. Stitching two identical templates together they create a basic puppet figure which they then decorate using a range of skills following their puppet design of a book character.

This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following six sessions:

1. Investigate 1 – Let’s Find Out About Puppets & Focus Task 1 – Starting to Sew
2. Investigate 2 – What makes a Good Puppet?
3. Focus Task 2 – Making a Hand Puppet
4. Design and Make - Designing Your Puppet
5. Design and Make - Making Your Puppet
6. Evaluation Session