Or 'What do I put my hand up next?'

While it is possible to amuse people with merely your naked hand (e.g. shadow puppets) it is far easier to amuse people with a suitably clothed hand (i.e. hand puppets). We do not use string puppets, so if you're looking for information on those, don't bother reading any further... For each idea there is a list of ingredients and a method with an approximate guide to cost.

A Simple Sock Puppet - A Furry One - A Fine Pair of Legs - The Professionals

A SIMPLE SOCK PUPPET
INGREDIENTS: One sock (ideally yours, but a neighbours will do) Felt (white, red & black) Wool (assorted colours) Rubber band Fabric glue Scissors	METHOD: First wash the sock. This isn't entirely necessary for the construction of the puppet, but will vastly improve the ambience behind stage... Now cut out suitable sized eyes, nose and tongue from the coloured felt, as well as ears if required. Hair can be cut from the coloured wool to a suitable length if your puppet needs it. Using the fabric glue stick everything on. For the uninitiated, the nose is placed in the middle of the toe area, the eyes toward the heel area on the sole of the sock. Hair is placed over the heel end, and the tongue may be better left until you have the puppet on. Now place the sock over your hand, and use the rubber band to pull the sock between your fingers and thumb to form the mouth. Now stick the tongue in. Your puppet is now complete (see Fig.2).
Figure 1: A sock Figure 2: The completed puppet
Approximate cost = £1

A FURRY ONE
INGREDIENTS: A length of fur fabric (1.5m) A pair of ping-pong balls An indelible marker pen A piece of stiff cardboard Felt (red & black) Stuffing Needle & thread (or sewing machine) Fabric glue Scissors An old sweatshirt Large sheet of paper (or newspaper)	METHOD: Firstly draw round your forearm and hand onto a large sheet of paper. This is the pattern for your gloves. Cut around the line, leaving at least one inch all round for the seam. Cut out a pair of mirror images from the fur fabric to make a single glove. If two gloves are required do another one! Now draw out a profile of a face onto either paper or the fabric, remembering to exaggerate features and to leave sufficient space for the seam. Cut a slit for the mouth With the outside in, sew round all the edges (except for the places where your hands get in, obviously). Leave a reasonable gap between the edge of the material and the seam as it can pull apart easily. Cut out an oval piece of card to form the mouth and check it fits the slit you made earlier. Cover this with red felt, and fit with uvula and tongue using black felt (see Fig.3). Sew this in place, with right side to right side (this forms the lips). Turn everything right side out. Stuff the head and chin thoroughly. Draw pupils on the ping-pong balls and glue firmly in place. Hair can be made from wool, or a different colour of fur fabric. By using an old sweatshirt you can hide the operator, who uses one sleeve and a glove for a 'human hand' arm and the other operates the mouth. The 'spare' shoulder can be padded to look authentic.
Figure 3: Uvula and tongue
Approximate cost = £8

A FINE PAIR OF LEGS
INGREDIENTS: A pair of children's trousers A pair of children's shoes Stuffing Strong glue A belt (sufficient to go round your chest)	METHOD: Using the glue, firmly attach the shoes to the trousers, making sure they appear as if being worn. Pad out the trousers to resemble being full with legs, with a little less stuffing at the knee to allow it to bend naturally. Slip the belt through the first two loops, and then round your back, then through the last two loops and buckle up. The waist should mid way up your rib cage. Arrange your shirt/blouse/skin appropriately to hide the top bit of the trousers. Flop your legs over the stage, and try to obtain a height where the puppet (you) is 'sitting' on the edge of the stage. Practise doing it 'all in the best possible taste'.
Illustration in production...
Approximate cost (depends on new or second hand) = £3 - £20

THE PROFESSIONALS
INGREDIENTS: A suppliers catalogue A people puppet pattern	METHOD: Open catalogue. Choose puppet. Order puppet. Take delivery of puppet. Your puppet is now ready to use. Alternatively, order a people puppet pattern - you can then use this along with bits of material, foam, Formica and other paraphernalia to make you own professional looking puppets. [This takes a long time and is very fiddly. The correct materials are sometimes hard to locate.]
Approximate cost = £25 (with £10 for pattern) to £100 (for professionally made puppets)