"SEW YOUR STORY"-Puppet Play

A HOWDY! PlayGear Design Lab Summer Camp

A one-of-a-kind hand puppet — designed from the inside out. 

"Sew Your Story"-Puppet Play

Your child will spend three days designing and building a soft hand puppet that comes from who they are — their personality, memories, favorite things, and imagination. They will not be following a template. They will not be copying a character from a show or book. They will be doing something much more complex, more interesting, and more valuable: they will be designing a character that communicates something real about themselves, then building it, and finally performing with it in a small showcase at the end of the week. Campers will explore color, shape, texture, and visual symbols- then learn beginner sewing skills to turn their ideas and their unique story into something they can hold 

What campers create and leave with- 

• A HOWDY! Camper Observation Journal 
• A HOWDY! Design Portfolio
• A HOWDY! Passport (Puppet) & Camper
• A HOWDY! premium puppet version of themselves
• A HOWDY! Identity Blueprint

By the end of day 3, all campers will have demonstrated the following: 

1. Self-reflection and identity awareness

Completed a six-zone Identity Map with specific, personal content. Can name at least three things they "Notice, Love, or Carry" that they had not articulated before the camp began. The map is a unique reference material— not a worksheet — and guides intentional self-discovery.

2. Visual language and design translation

Chose a personal visual vocabulary (colors, shapes, textures, symbols) and traced those choices through to the finished puppet. Can explain why they chose each material and how it connects to the character. 

3. Textile craft and foundational sewing

Executed a running stitch independently on fabric. Cut fabric pieces using a pattern. Assembled a hand puppet with a complete body and face. For older campers: used at least two different stitch types with intentional application.

4. Design thinking process literacy

Moved through all six stages of the Identity by Design framework — Notice, Choose, Design, Build, Animate, Share — with evidence in their design portfolio at each stage. Experienced at least one moment of revision or iteration and can name what changed and why.

5. Character animation and storytelling

Demonstrated the puppet's personality through at least five physical and vocal exercises on Day 4. Performed a showcase moment on Day 5. The character's personality is consistent across the design, the animation, and the performance — a sign that the identity work was deep enough to carry across all three.

6. Communication through design

Introduced their character to an audience and the audience could identify at least one connection between the puppet and the child who made it. This is the camp's core achievement: a child used design to communicate something true about who they are to people who were paying attention.

The Details:

• 3 days of self-discovery and making (4 hours daily, 12 hours total)
• Time: 10:30-2:30 PM
  
• Mixed-age design studio featuring age appropriate differentiation 
• Standard aligned curriculum and take home activities available for each day
• Available Weeks: 
  • June 6,7,8
  • July 
• All materials, equipment, and daily snack provided. All campers must bring their own lunch. 
• $275 per maker

Camp is held at the new HOWDY! HQ - 1115 Woodside Ave. - a dedicated sewing space, designed to create and teach quality textile craft.

Space is limited to 8 spots per session to ensure personalized instruction. Reserve your modern maker's spot today!

Inquire for sibling discounts. 

HOWDY! believes in functional art that's built to last—and we can't wait to share that passion with the next generation of makers.