The following photos, originally posted during the 2018-19 Christmas season, tell the story of the Nativity, from the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to the arrival of the three magi. During the 2020 Christmas season I made the patterns available to congregations, groups, and families. Used in nine different countries, I shared a compilation of the films they made in Nativity Puppets in Quarantine .
During Advent in 2022 I am sharing patterns of Mary and the angel and Joseph, ending with a final pattern on Christmas Eve, that will allow you to use the puppets in a manger under the Christmas Tree. The full set will be available in a story-and-craft activity book planned in 2023, so the templates are not posted in the Printable Library.
- Mary will have a Baby (including pattern of Mary and angel Gabriel)
- Stop motion puppets for the holidays (including pattern of Joseph)
- Bible Stories
Joseph and Mary are traveling to Bethlehem to register for the census. Mary is expecting her baby soon.
Will nativity puppets be available again?
Dianna: I have sent you a message and updated the blog post. Please contact me.
Thank you so much and congrats on your work: such an inspiration!
I am a primary class teacher in Italy and I have a special love for shadow theatre and puppets…
I will try and do the nativity story this year, I was also wondering if you could post it…
Hello Sandra, Thank you for your interest! As I wrote in my blog I am hoping to put a story-and-craft book together using the templates for commercial use, which is why I am not putting the patterns in my library of free printables. But I am making the patterns available to churches, schools, and families who want to use the patterns during the pandemic on condition that they do not share the patterns without my permission and they will provide feedback that will be helpful for the book. I will contact you directly.
I am interested in the puppet patterns for a children’s Christmas program. How do I get them?
Hello Bonnie, thank you for reaching out. I am planning to use the patterns for a Nativity story-and-craft book. However, during the pandemic I have made the patterns available to churches, schools, and families, asking only to share their experiences with me to help me with the book. For examples of participating groups visit my post about the Nativity.
Hi. My 2nd and 3rd grade class at church would love to be able to use your Nativity Shadow Puppets. Are you still willing to share your templates?
Hello Rhea, I have emailed you on the email address provided with the comment. If you have not received it please contact me through the contact form.
Hi Helene,
My family from all over the world has come to stay with us for Christmas after such a long period of not being allowed to see one another and I was inspired to do a shadow puppet show with the kids whilst we are all together.
Are you offering to sell this Nativity story template?
Hello Christina, thank you for your interest, how fun that you want to do this! As long as the craft book has not come out yet I am offering the set for sale for $15, which can be paid by PayPal. I have written you a message to let you know where to send it.
I would so love to use this as an outreach ministry for our youth program that we could take to nursing and retirement centers.
Could we talk about how to get the patterns and any thoughts you would have on how best to do this?
Hello Jennifer, I will reach out to you by email with the address provided!
Were you able to get the story-and-craft book completed? I am in charge of our church Christmas party and would love to use your book with the nativity story during our party in early December 2023!!
Juanita, I’m busy putting the book together but it won’t be ready before this Xmas. I’ll email you how to obtain the patterns.
Do you sell the images so we can make them at home? Would love to do this in a couple of days.
Hi Lara, as long as the book is not available I am indeed selling the puppet patterns. I am emailing you.
Is your book with patterns for nativity puppets available now?
We’re finishing it up but it won’t be available until next year. Until it’s out I sell the patterns, I will email you.