Wilma Witch ECO Sockettes Hand Puppet by The Puppet Company

The Puppet Company Wilma Witch ECO Sockettes is a 38cm hand puppet designed for children aged 18 months and over. Made from eco-conscious materials, Wilma is a witch character with a quirky green face, vivid orange hair, a charming black hat, a striped body, and a squeaky tongue. She is designed to spark imaginative play, creative storytelling, and drama-based learning in young children.

How Wilma supports learning and communication

Puppets are a proven tool for supporting early language and communication development, and a character as distinctive as Wilma Witch is particularly effective at drawing children in. Children with dyslexia, speech and language needs, or social communication differences often find it much easier to express themselves through a puppet than directly. Wilma's mischievous, memorable personality gives children an immediate story to tell and a voice to inhabit.

Her squeaky tongue creates an instant moment of surprise and laughter — a simple but powerful hook for engagement. The ECO Sockette format fits over the hand like a sock puppet, requiring no setup and no special technique, so children and adults can start using her straight away. At 38cm, she is a comfortable and manageable size for small hands.

Why Wilma works well in schools and classrooms

• Strong narrative hook: A witch character provides a natural entry point for fantasy storytelling, adventure narratives, and creative writing activities — all areas where children with dyslexia benefit from additional engagement and motivation.
• Wide age range without extra outlay: Suitable from 18 months, Wilma works across nursery, EYFS, and Key Stage 1 settings, making her a cost-effective single purchase for schools and early years settings.
• Supports reluctant speakers: Puppets are used by speech and language therapists and teachers to encourage verbal communication in children who are quiet or lacking in confidence. A fun, slightly silly character like Wilma lowers the barrier to speaking up.
• Drama and role-play across the curriculum: Wilma is ready-made for Halloween-themed activities, fairy tale literacy units, circle time, and imaginative play sessions, making her a versatile addition to any classroom resource bank.
• Eco-responsible purchasing: Made from eco-conscious materials, Wilma supports school sustainability commitments and is a straightforwardly responsible choice.

Great for home too

Parents looking for a gift that will genuinely capture a child's imagination will find Wilma hard to beat. Her striking appearance and squeaky tongue make her immediately engaging, and she can be the star of many storytelling sessions, games, and plays. Children with dyslexia or learning differences often flourish with play-based activities, and a puppet character can make narrative practice something they actively choose to do.

Why puppets matter for literacy and language development

Professional guidance from organisations including the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists highlights the value of puppetry and play-based learning in building communication and literacy skills. For children with dyslexia, developing strong oral language and a love of stories is closely linked to reading progress — and a puppet like Wilma provides a low-pressure, highly motivating way to do both.

A characterful and purposeful resource

Whether you are looking to add to a classroom puppet collection, equip a speech and language intervention, or find a gift that stands out, Wilma is well worth a look. Get in touch if you have any questions — we are always happy to help.

• Character: Wilma, a witch with a quirky green face, vivid orange hair, a black hat, a striped body, and a mischievous smile
• Type: ECO Sockette hand puppet — knitted sock puppet design that fits over the hand for intuitive, immediate use
• Squeaky tongue feature: Squeaker-filled tongue adds interactive, playful engagement for young children
• Dimensions: Average Height 38cm x Width 14cm x Depth 13cm
• Age suitability: Suitable from 18 months
• Brand: The Puppet Company
• SKU / MPN: PC007044
• Package contents: 1 x Wilma Witch ECO Sockettes hand puppet
• Retail price: £19.99

• What is the Wilma Witch ECO Sockettes hand puppet?
  The Wilma Witch ECO Sockettes hand puppet is a 38cm witch character puppet made by The Puppet Company, designed for children aged 18 months and over. Wilma features a quirky green face, vivid orange hair, a black hat, a striped body, and a squeaky tongue. She is made from eco-conscious materials and fits over the hand like a sock puppet, making her easy for children and adults to use immediately.
• Who is the Wilma Witch puppet suitable for?
  Wilma is suitable for children from 18 months upwards, making her appropriate for nursery, EYFS, and Key Stage 1 settings as well as home use. Her distinctive witch character makes her particularly popular for Halloween-themed activities, fairy tale literacy units, and drama sessions, though she is a strong storytelling puppet year-round.
• How can a witch puppet like Wilma help children with dyslexia?
  A characterful puppet like Wilma supports children with dyslexia by creating an engaging, low-pressure way to practise oral language, storytelling, and creative expression. Children who find reading and writing difficult often respond very well to drama-based and play-based learning. Wilma's strong character provides an immediate narrative hook, making it easier for children to build and tell their own stories.
• Can the Wilma Witch puppet be used in a school or classroom?
  Yes. Wilma is well suited to classroom use across EYFS, KS1, and SEN settings. She works particularly well in literacy sessions focused on fairy tales and fantasy narratives, circle time, drama activities, and speech and language support. The ECO Sockette design requires no setup — any adult or child can pick her up and start using her straight away.
• Is the Wilma ECO Sockettes puppet made from eco-friendly materials?
  Yes. Wilma is part of The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range and is crafted from eco-conscious materials. She is a responsible choice for schools, nurseries, and families who are mindful of the environmental impact of the products they buy.
• What age is the Wilma Witch puppet designed for?
  Wilma is suitable from 18 months. She is particularly well suited to children aged 18 months to 7 years, covering nursery through to Year 2, though her appeal extends to older children and adults in storytelling, drama, and educational contexts.
• How big is the Wilma Witch ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Wilma measures approximately 38cm in height, 14cm in width, and 13cm in depth. This makes her a comfortable size for small hands to operate and easy to store in a classroom puppet box or on a shelf at home.
• Does the Wilma Witch puppet make a good gift?
  Yes. Wilma makes a striking and imaginative gift for children aged 18 months and over. Her memorable witch character, squeaky tongue, and eco-friendly construction make her a thoughtful alternative to a standard soft toy, and she can be enjoyed in imaginative play, storytelling, and drama-based activities by children and adults alike.