Learn

Read Part One - muppet-type mouths - here, and Part Two - rod puppet mouths - here. Mouth puppets explained. Mouth puppets are not the same as muppet-types. You should also read the post on basic puppet design.

Method Three

An alternative method for a mouth is similar to the first one, but less complicated. This uses the teddy bear mouth technique found on Puppet Building.com. The video is pretty self-explanatory, and the site also has a text version of the tutorial. (You may want to check out the other tutorials there too, as there are a number of other mouth puppet methods to try)

See the technique here.

Method Four

This method is used only on marionettes. To make a moving mouth on a marionette, ensure the bottom jaw is a separate piece from the head. It is a good idea to have a hollow head, whether you use clay, wood, or papier mache. Across the inside of the head, insert a bar (metal rod or dowel will be fine), across which you can hinge the mouth. Be sure to cut away a small wedge from the back of the jaw, to ensure smooth movements. At the base of the bottom jaw, create a small hole. Run a string through this hole, up through the jaw, up into the head, and through the top of the head to the marionette control. If the mouth is attached correctly, you should be able to close the jaw by pulling the string up. If you want the mouth to stay closed for a long period of time, whilst keeping the puppeteer's hands free for other marionette movements, ensure that the string is pulled tight - making the mouth closed - and wind the excess around part of the control. The puppeteer can then unwind the string later, which will 'relax' the jaw and make the mouth 'open'.

It would be wise to consult a marionette book for more extensive details on how to make marionette moving mouths. I can highly recommend the following book, which I have in my personal library. It includes the basics of making marionettes, as well as design instructions on making the trickier parts of moving mouths, heads and limbs. It is quite probably an industry standard resource for making marionettes.

by David Currell

Final words

A mouth puppet can be made using other techniques, and no one method is right or wrong. Think through the following: how much the puppet will rely on its mouth (does it do a lot of talking), how easy it will be for the puppeteer to operate both the mouth and the rest of the puppet at the same time, and how you will fit the mouth mechanism into the rest of the puppet. If you remember the key puppet design concepts, then you shouldn't go to wrong. And if you find yourself getting stuck, create a prototype out of scrap materials. It will help you discover key problems or work out any kinks in the design. You may also be interested in reading the post on how to fit a mouth into a puppet.

Have some questions about any of the methods? Leave a comment and I'll try to help! Also, find my list of free mouth puppet patterns here. Did you know? You can now buy moppet eyes for your next puppet build from my online store! Check it out here!

Want more? Help build a puppet!