Folkmanis Puppets realistic animals as hand puppets

Anyone passing by the Folkmanis Puppets stand at the Toy Fair in the Javits Convention Centre will quickly realise that this is not about effects, electronics or short-lived trends. The company has been in existence for 50 years and has been represented at the fair for 35 years.

The focus is on animal figures – designed as hand puppets. Soft toys in various sizes, with a clear purpose: classic play in its most concentrated form.

Folkmanis Puppets focuses on animals as realistic hand puppets

The range extends from tiny finger puppets to large-format models such as a humpback whale. In between are detailed representations of insects, birds, forest animals and exotic species. An orchid mantis, for example, looks like a soft toy at first glance. But as soon as a hand disappears inside, the perception changes. The figure raises its head, peeks for prey, seems to ‘breathe’. Movement is not created by motor skills, but by the player's hand. This is precisely where the difference lies. A puppet remains open to interpretation. It only acquires its personality through the person who controls it. Mouth movements, a tilted head, a hint of hesitation – all this arises from the interaction between the material and the hand. Some parts are deliberately made stiff so that legs or fins, for example, look realistic when ‘running’ or ‘swimming’. The design takes into account both children's hands and adult fingers.

Red squirrel hand puppet with movable tail

A red squirrel demonstrates this mechanism particularly clearly. The puppeteer can not only open and close the mouth, but also move the bushy tail with a separate finger. The animal waves, swishes its tail, seems to react. A small gesture is enough to create a scene. This form of play begins early. Officially, the hand puppets are recommended for children aged three and up. However, with supervision, they can also be used with younger children – for example, to distract them while changing nappies or to initiate their first conversations. Later, they become tools for storytelling. Children invent voices, conflicts and adventures. Adults use them in an educational context or simply as a creative outlet.

Snowy owl hand puppet and Chinese Crested Dog as new additions

In addition to classics such as raccoons and owls, the company regularly introduces new models. A snowy owl with a rotating head expands the repertoire, as does a Chinese Crested Dog – the hairless dog with its characteristic tongue. Here, too, the mechanics remain discreet. The appeal comes from the combination of realistic design and precise movement. The range of products is extensive. Prices range from around five dollars for small finger puppets to around ninety dollars for larger versions. Different sizes open up different ways of playing:

• Finger puppets for short dialogues and quick scenes
• Medium-sized models with movable mouths
• Large-format animals such as the humpback whale

Folkmanis Puppets between nature and education

A central motif is closeness to nature. Each animal has a label describing its origin, habitat and diet. Where does the mantis live? What does the squirrel eat? In which regions can the humpback whale be found? This information is kept brief, but opens up a perspective that goes beyond pure play. The educational aspect arises incidentally. A child who gives a snowy owl a voice automatically engages with its characteristics. Why does it turn its head? When does it hunt? Play becomes an opportunity for learning – without a lecture. In an age of constant digital stimulation, this concept seems almost old-fashioned. But that is precisely where its strength lies. A soft toy does not need a screen. It demands presence. Hands move, eyes follow the character, a story unfolds in the room. ‘Screen free’ is not a marketing term here, but a prerequisite. Folkmanis Puppets thus adheres to a form of play that has existed for generations. The core remains unchanged: a character, a hand, an idea. Everything else is created in the mind. The animals may be made of fabric, but they come to life in play – not through technology, but through imagination.