by Adriana Hollenbeck
Adriana is a teacher of very young children. She started making puppets two and a half years ago, and submersed herself completely into the world. Since then she has made over 20 wooden marionettes, hand puppets, automata, and more. Last year she discovered the traditional Czech wire marionette.
Making Wire Marionettes for Young Children
For over 30 years, I have worked in schools, teaching and helping young children grow. I’ve come to understand the unique power of storytelling and hands-on experiences, which is why I’ve always felt puppetry belonged in the classroom—not just as a performance but as a deeper, interactive tool for learning.
In my vision, children wouldn’t just watch puppetry; they’d be part of it. They’d create characters, build narratives, and shape stories that give life to their imaginations.
But for that to happen, children need to touch things. They need to feel the materials and get hands-on with the stories they tell. Traditional string marionettes tangle easily and are fragile in little hands. I wanted children to manipulate and explore.
And then I came to a summer intensive at Puppets in Prague and discovered the Czech wire marionette.
From String to Wire: A Durable Marionette for Children
Initially, I planned to make a string marionette. It was familiar. But when confronted with the Czech traditional marionette, I began to reconsider.
My teacher, Mirek Trejtnar pointed out how solid and reliable they are—how it would take much more than a child’s enthusiastic tug or twist to break them. The simplicity and strength of wood and wire together made perfect sense for young children
I could craft something sturdy, something children could handle without constant supervision. The movements are simpler than those of more elaborate marionettes, but just right for the storytelling that young children are so naturally good at. Wire marionettes, I realized, are as solid as the stories they help tell.
Creating Connection Through Handmade Objects
Wooden objects give children a sense of connection that plastic toys and screens simply can’t. In a world filled with digital media and replaceable characters, I want children to see the magic of something made by hand.
Wood and wire have a timeless quality. Wood was once a living tree, and through the puppets we make, it gets a new life, a new story to tell. I want children to feel the heaviness of wood in their hands and to sense the history in natural materials. These are simple yet profound experiences that foster respect and reverence.
Teaching Care and Responsibility
It’s important to me that children understand the value of care and responsibility. These marionettes, while durable, are still fragile in their own way. We can’t just throw them across the room or toss them aside—they require a gentle touch and mindful play. And no, if one breaks, we can’t just go to the store and buy a replacement. Each marionette is unique, a one-of-a-kind creation that won’t be found on a shelf.
In this fast-paced world, where everything can be quickly replaced or discarded, I think it’s essential to teach children to care for what they create. To me, these marionettes are more than just toys. They’re a chance to slow down, to care for something special, and to treasure what we have made.
Stories That Connect Us All
At the heart of it, puppetry connects us to each other. We’re all hanging by a thread… or maybe a wire, bound together by the stories we share and the connections we make. With each marionette, each carefully crafted character, children get the chance to connect in ways that are increasingly rare.
Here’s to the art of puppetry, to handmade objects, and to the stories that bring us together.
The wire marionette is the most traditional type of Czech marionettes. Children often construct their own simple versions with paper and wooden sticks. Family (toy) puppet theatres always come with a set of small wire marionettes. At Puppets in Prague workshops, we encourage students to explore this technology - often they find that it is the perfect fit for their needs!
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