Folkmanis Puppets
The company's roots go back to the late 1960's, in Watertown, MA. Judy Folkmanis began sewing puppets for her son's nursery school while her husband Atis earned his Ph.D. at Brandeis. Even with two small children underfoot, Judy managed to design and produce enough puppets to begin a cottage industry.
When the family moved to California, Judy enjoyed four years of success as a sidewalk vendor, selling her "Furry Folk" creations to the eclectic passers-by on Berkeley's famous Telegraph Ave.

Judy Folkmanis (with braids) selling her handmade Furry Folk puppets in 1974 on Berkeley's Telegraph Ave.

Then, in 1976, her business took an interesting turn. Atis completed his studies in biochemistry and switched to cutting puppet patterns. They soon hired several seamstresses, and never looked back.
The couple has turned their small venture into the premier manufacturer of plush puppets


Atis Folkmanis holding a Furry Folk cat puppet in 1977.
worldwide, with about 250 of the most heartwarming and realistic designs on the market today. Best of all, after 30 years, Folkmanis, Inc. is still a family business.

Folkmanis Puppets believe imagination is the key to a healthy childhood, encouraging play and discovery to develop the skills necessary in life. For over 30 years, they have made the most innovative and engaging puppets on the planet, delighting imaginations everywhere.

An essential ingredient to every toybox, every childhood, every genereation.

See More Items From Folkmanis Puppets!

 

	Toy Name: Porcupine Hand Puppet Company: Folkmanis Puppets Special soft plush gives this Porcupine puppet the appearance of having quills, but never fear! While she may poke about, she won't poke you! Hand enters from chest area to animate the front legs and head.
	Toy Name: Squirrel Plush Hand Puppet Company: Folkmanis Puppets With his big bushy tail and soft, red fur, this plush Squirrel is one puppet you’ll go nuts over. Direct from Folkmanis Puppets, this plush squirrel puppet is cute, cuddly and made with quality craftsmanship. Animate his front paws and mouth for some squirreling action. Your heart is sure to leap threw trees with this plush squirrel. The Squirrel hand puppet is great for puppet shows, pretend play, and cuddling.
	Toy Name: Great White Shark Hand Puppet Company: Folkmanis Puppets No creature of the ocean inspires more fear and awe than the Great White Shark. This incredible puppet features terrifying rows of teeth, an insatiable, swallowing gullet and movable, googly black eyes. Sized to intimidate.
	Toy Name: Wooly Sheep Puppet Company: Folkmanis Puppets Yes, you 'herd' right; a new Sheep puppet grazes in these pastures. With her sweet, comical face and fuzzy white fleece this is one puppet "ewe" will surely love. Slip your hand in through her chest area to animate her mouth and make her graze and bleat.
	Toy Name: Pinto Horse Plush Hand Puppet Company: Folkmanis Puppets Cowboys and Native Americans alike once prized the Pinto horse for its good nature, ease of training, and dependability. This plush Pinto Horse puppet from Folkmanis Puppets is a tribute to the spirit of the Old West and the beauty of its horses. Featuring realistically markings in plush and a movable mouth, together you’ll be lassoing furniture, little brothers, or the moon. This plush horse hand puppet is perfect for puppet shows, pretend play, or cuddling!
	Toy Name: Donkey Puppet Company: Folkmanis Puppets The gentle, long-domesticated donkey has been such a versatile and valuable worker for thousands of years, it's amazing the term workhorse ever came to be! After all, the donkey was here first. This soft, wooly-textured Donkey puppet features a movable mouth and kickable back legs.