What is UNIMA?
UNIMA (Union Internationale de la Marionnette) is the international organisation of puppeteers, puppet makers, puppet writers, and puppet companies. They have branches all around the world, and is your best bet of finding out about local puppetry to you. As a member, there are benefits, such as regular events (festivals, workshops, etc), funding and professional development, regular publications, and other such things.
Non-members may also participate, whether it’s viewing shows at regular UNIMA festivals or other events; being able to browse and contact puppeteers when you’re looking for a service; learn the craft via subscriptions to publications or sponsored workshops; and so on.
UNIMA is pretty much the main organisation for puppetry. I have been a member of the Australian branch, and though I have not participated much in the organisation’s activities, I can say that the small annual fee (less than $AUS 100 for companies, less than $AUS 50 for individuals; but don’t quote me) has often been worth it. I have been kept up-to-date of grants and funding opportunities, puppetry events around the world, informed of performances to see, as well as had ample opportunities for meet and greets with other puppeteers.
UNIMA International runs a biennial conference in a different part of the world each time: the next one, in 2012, will be taking place in China. More info about it is here. These conferences usually include an UNIMA AGM, or similar meeting, along with public events (workshops, performances, etc) and members’ events (masterclasses, forums, speeches, etc). I attended the last one, in Perth, Australia, which you can read about here.
If you are not a member, but are keen on becoming one, then check out your local branch. The UNIMA International website lists all the branches, as well as a lot of great puppetry links and information. (Note that the prices of membership may differ, depending on your location and branch)
This post AKA Australian puppet association
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@Suly,
... School of Puppetry on How to make a muppet-type puppet: Human Foam Puppet PatternThe "Human Foam Puppet pattern" is not aimed at kids; it's for intermediate/professional puppeteers. It's also not a puppet you could wear on your head, it's a muppet-type puppet like what you see in Sesame Street.
I recommend checking out this article, which lists different types of puppets from easiest to make to hardest.
You can make a human puppet in other ways, as explained here.
Human-ness is just a matter of aesthetics, which means you can make puppets in any way you like, and then add facial features which give the puppet the appearance of being human.
Alternatively, you can purchase the pattern, build the puppets yourself, and then let the kids decorate them. (I assume that’s what you meant: kids building puppets themselves, not puppets to be built by you and used with kids)
Hope that helps!