How Puppetry Helps Kids Build Emotional Skills at Camp

At 1202Kids Foundation, we believe emotions are not just something to feel—they’re something to understand, express, and learn to manage. That’s what Empuptry is all about.

Offered as a mobile workshop to summer camps, Empuptry is a STEM-based experience that uses puppetry to help kids ages 9–13 build emotional literacy, practice communication, and grow real-world confidence.

It’s not therapy. It’s not just empathy. It’s emotional skill-building—creative, structured, and fun.

Why It Works for Campers

Camps are where friendships form, identities grow, and social challenges naturally happen. Empuptry gives kids the tools to navigate all of that—through hands-on play and performance.

Here’s what makes it effective:

Puppets Create Psychological Safety

Kids often find it hard to talk about tough emotions—but give them a puppet, and the walls come down. Puppets give them just enough distance to speak freely, while still working through real emotions and scenarios.

It’s STEM, But with Heart

Empuptry is grounded in STEM: kids design, build, and manipulate their own expressive puppets, learning simple mechanics and creative design thinking in the process. It’s engineering with emotional intelligence baked in.

Storytelling Builds Social Skills

In small groups, campers create scenes based on real emotional themes—like conflict resolution, feeling left out, or standing up for a friend. They don’t just talk about emotions—they perform them, process them, and share them with their peers.

It Sparks Self-Awareness and Confidence

When kids take the stage (or even just share in a circle), they feel heard. They start to understand their emotions better—and feel more in control of them. That kind of growth doesn’t just stay at camp. It sticks.

Empuptry is a flexible, mobile program—we come to your camp with everything needed. Whether it’s a one-time experience or a multi-day workshop, we tailor it to fit your space and schedule.

At 1202Kids Foundation, our mission is to raise emotionally strong, socially capable kids through creative expression. If you’re looking to add something meaningful, memorable, and growth-focused to your camp this summer, Empuptryis ready to roll in.

Let’s help kids build what they can’t always see—but always feel. One puppet at a time.