Making a DIY felt monkey hand puppet is a fun and easy way to get creative with felt and a few simple stitches.

_{This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. View the disclosure for more information.}

Ever wanted to make an adorable monkey hand puppet but have zero sewing experience? Fear not!

This DIY is super easy, even for beginners, and I’ve created a handy printable template to make things a breeze. Ready to get crafty? Let’s dive in!

Materials

Printable template (download below)
Felt in various shades of brown, black, and pink (optional for the nose)
Thread in matching colors (brown, light, and black)
A needle
Thicker thread (embroidery floss)
Fabric scissors
(Optional) Fabric glue for those trickier spots

Step 1: Print the Template

Start by downloading and printing the monkey template (below). This will serve as your guide for all the felt pieces you need to cut out.

Step 2: Cut Out the Template

Once you have your printable, grab your scissors and cut out each piece carefully. These pieces will be the shape of the puppet’s body (front and back), as well as the “accessories” like the nose, tummy, face, and ears.

Step 3: Trace and Cut the Felt

Place the template pieces onto your felt and trace around them using a fabric pen or pencil. You’ll need:

Two brown pieces for the front and back of the puppet.
A light brown piece for the tummy, face, and ears.
A black felt piece for the eyes.
(Optional) A pink or black piece for the nose.

Once traced, cut them out with your fabric scissors.

Note: Want a bigger or smaller monkey? You can resize the template before printing. Giant monkey? Finger puppet? It’s up to you!

Related: Boost Vocabulary with Free Seasonal Flashcards for Toddlers

Step 4: Embroider the Face

Let’s start with that cheeky monkey smile! Using black thread and a backstitch (don’t panic if you’re unfamiliar, here’s a handy guide here), sew a nice large smile on the face piece.

We’ll attach the face to the body in Step 7, so for now, just focus on the face piece.

Step 5: Attach the Nose

Now for the nose! Sew the pink or black nose piece onto the face, but here’s a trick: sew it through the back of the felt so the thread doesn’t show up on the front.

This can get a bit difficult with the nose falling off, so if you’re worried about it moving around, add a dab of fabric glue underneath to hold it in place while you sew. Easy peasy!

Step 6: Adding the Eyes

For the eyes, repeat the same process as with the nose. Sew them on carefully, making sure the thread doesn’t poke through to the front. Again, a little fabric glue can be a lifesaver if things get wobbly.

Step 7: Sew the Face, Belly, and Ears

Now it’s time to put it all together! Using a small running stitch (a simple in-and-out stitch), attach the face, belly, and ears to the front piece of the puppet.

Use thread that matches the felt for a nice, clean finish.

Step 8: Assemble the Puppet

With the details in place, you’re ready to assemble the puppet!

Lay the front and back pieces of the body together. Using brown thread, sew around the edges with a basic running stitch, make sure to leave the bottom open so you can fit your hand inside (unless you want a decorative monkey pillow… which could also be cute!).

Step 9: Enjoy Your Creation!

Once everything’s stitched up, your adorable monkey hand puppet is ready for action! Slip your hand inside and get ready for some fun monkey business. 🐒

Final Tips:

Don’t stress about making it perfect—handmade means unique! Just look at mine 😉
Feel free to customize with other details, like a bow tie or a banana (monkeys love bananas, right?).

And that’s it! You’ve just created an adorable hand-sewn monkey puppet, no sewing experience is required. Even if you’ve never picked up a needle before, you’ll feel like a pro by the end of this project. Happy crafting!