How To Make A Curlew Chick Puppet

The Eurasian curlew is one of the UK’s most rapidly declining breeding birds. Numbers have fallen by more than 65% since the 1970s, placing it on the Red List of birds of conservation concern. The species requires an estimated 10,000 additional chicks to fledge each year simply to stabilise the UK population.

https://www.justgiving.com/team/curlew3peaks

You will need:

1 big pompom
1 small pompom
1 piece of fluffy fabric
2 googly eyes
2 lolly sticks glued together in a cross shape
String
1 pair of scissors
1 piece of card
Craft glue or hot glue

What to do:

  1. Glue the small pompom (head), fluffy fabric (neck) and big pompom (body) together.
  2. On your card, draw 2 feet, a beak and 2 wings for your chick.
  3. Carefully cut out your drawings.
  4. Glue your feet onto some pieces of string and tie them round the body.
  5. Glue the google eyes and beak onto the head. Glue the wings onto the body.
  6. Cut four pieces of string measuring about 30 cm each. You will need to trim these to the right lengths as you attach them to your puppet in steps 7 and 8. Glue a piece of string onto each end of the lolly stick cross.
  7. Glue one string to the top of the head and the opposite string to the back of the body.
  8. Glue one of the other strings to one foot, and the final string to the other foot.
  9. All done! Your curlew chick puppet is ready to creep, stalk and dance!

Help protect real curlews

Curlews are disappearing from the UK countryside, but families and children can help. Find out why these amazing birds are in danger, meet the giant curlews taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks and discover simple ways to help protect them.

FIND OUT HOW TO HELP CURLEWS →


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Help the Eurasian Curlew: Why These Amazing Birds Need Us

The haunting, bubbling call of the Eurasian curlew has been heard across the British countryside for thousands of years. But these extraordinary birds are disappearing.

UK breeding curlew numbers have fallen by more than 65% since the 1970s, making the curlew one of Britain’s fastest-declining breeding birds.

Scientists estimate that around 10,000 more curlew chicks need to survive and learn to fly every year just to stop the population from continuing to fall.

Why are curlews in danger?

Curlews nest on the ground, often in farmland, moorland and grassland.

Their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predators and disturbance, while changes to farming and the loss of suitable habitats have made it harder for enough young curlews to survive.

Giant curlews take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks!

In April 2026, a team of walkers did something rather unusual to draw attention to the plight of the curlew.

They tackled the gruelling 24-mile Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge dressed as enormous curlews!

Leading the way were Cathy the Curlew, a 10-foot-long handmade bird costume, and her companion Heathcliff.

The team set out to raise £10,000 – one pound for each of the additional 10,000 chicks that need to fledge every year to help stabilise the UK’s curlew population.

Two days after the walk, the giant curlews travelled to the Houses of Parliament for a special World Curlew Day event, helping to bring the campaign to the attention of politicians.

The campaign raised awareness and funds for Curlew Action and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, which work to protect curlews, their habitats and the landscapes they depend on.

How can children and families help curlews?

You don’t need to climb three mountains dressed as a giant bird to help!

You can:

  • Keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds during the breeding season.
  • Give nesting birds plenty of space and never disturb eggs or chicks.
  • Learn to recognise the curlew’s distinctive call and record your sightings.
  • Tell friends and family why curlews need our help.
  • Support organisations working to protect curlews and their habitats.
  • Make your own curlew puppet and use it to help spread the word!

Every person who learns about curlews and helps others understand why they are in danger can help give these extraordinary birds a louder voice.

Find out more about Curlew Action and discover how you can help protect curlews.

Make your own curlew puppet

Help children learn more about these extraordinary birds with our free curlew puppet activity.

Find out how to make your own curlew and use it to start a conversation about why wildlife conservation matters.

MAKE YOUR OWN CURLEW PUPPET →


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COMPETITION CLOSED – WIN 1 of 5 copies of Mysteries of Marine Mammals – a children’s ocean book giveaway

Love whales, dolphins and life beneath the waves? Then you’re in for a treat because this month’s edition of Whizz Pop Bang, Undersea Explorers, is all about the ocean. But that’s not all… we’re also giving our fans the chance to win one of five copies of Mysteries of Marine Mammals by Amandine Delauney – a beautifully illustrated guide to whales, dolphins and porpoises.

What is Mysteries of Marine Mammals about?

Written and illustrated by Amandine Delaunay, Mysteries of Marine Mammals is a stunningly illustrated exploration of the ocean’s most fascinating mammals.

Inside, young readers will discover:

  • 🐋 How whales communicate across vast ocean distances
  • 🐬 The differences between dolphins and porpoises
  • 🌊 How marine mammals survive in icy waters
  • 🧠 The surprising intelligence of ocean giants
  • 🫁 Why mammals breathe air – even underwater ones

It’s a brilliant example of a science book for children that combines real biology with engaging artwork and accessible explanations.

Mysteries of Marine Mammals by Amandine Delauney is available from Phaidon, £17.95.

Why it pairs perfectly with Whizz Pop Bang: Undersea Explorers

If you loved learning about sharks, ocean layers and strange sea creatures in this edition, this book takes that curiosity even further.

Together, the magazine and this book support linked, meaningful learning by helping children:

  • Connect habitats to animal adaptations
  • Understand classification and mammal characteristics
  • Compare marine mammals with fish and sharks
  • Build knowledge through beautiful visual storytelling

It’s ideal for curious readers aged 7–11 who want to dive deeper into marine biology.

How to enter this children’s ocean book giveaway

To be in with a chance of winning one of five copies, simply answer this question in the comments:

Which of the following is a marine mammal?
A) Shark
B) Dolphin
C) Octopus

Competition closes: 31st March 2026. Click here for full terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this book suitable for?
This book is ideal for children aged around 7 to 11 who enjoy ocean life, animals and science.

Do I need to be a Whizz Pop Bang subscriber to enter?
No – this competition is open to all readers.

When does the competition run?
The giveaway runs from 1 March to 31 March 2026.

Good luck, Undersea Explorers!

We love sharing science books for kids that inspire curiosity about the natural world. Whether you’re fascinated by breaching whales or deep-diving dolphins, this giveaway is your chance to explore the ocean’s most remarkable mammals.

Happy exploring! 🌊🐋


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COMPETITION CLOSED: WIN one of 5 children’s science books – Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters giveaway

Looking for a children’s science book giveaway packed with curiosity, humour and real STEM ideas?
We’re giving Whizz Pop Bang readers the chance to win one of five copies of Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters – a fun, fact-filled science book that uses wild “what if?” questions to explain real physics, biology and space science to curious children aged 8–12.

What’s Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters all about?

Written by science communicator Maynard Okereke, this brilliantly bonkers book takes ideas that sound impossible and explores them using real science.

Inside, readers will discover:

  • 🧠 Whether zombies could ever exist
  • 🕷️ What it would really take to create giant spiders
  • ☄️ How scientists might stop an asteroid hitting Earth
  • 🚀 The science behind sci-fi films, games and comics

Each chapter starts with a big, imaginative question and breaks it down using clear explanations, humour and evidence, helping children think like real scientists.


Why Whizz Pop Bang readers will love it

This is exactly the kind of book that appeals to curious Whizz Pop Bang fans:

  • 🔬 A fun science book for kids who love asking “how does that work?”
  • 📖 Easy to dip into – perfect for reluctant readers and confident readers alike
  • 🤯 Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving
  • 🎮 Ideal for fans of sci-fi, gaming and STEM

It’s a fantastic example of a STEM book for children that makes big ideas exciting and accessible.


How to enter this children’s science book giveaway

To be in with a chance of winning one of 5 copies, simply answer this question in the comments:

Which of these is a real type of spider?

A) Black belt spider
B) Hairy toed spider
C) Happy-bum spider

This competition closes on 28th February 2026. Click here for full terms and conditions.


Frequently asked questions

Who is this book suitable for?
This book is ideal for curious children aged around 8–12 who enjoy science, sci-fi and asking big questions.

Do I need to be a Whizz Pop Bang subscriber to enter?
No – the competition is open to all Whizz Pop Bang readers.

Is this competition open internationally?
No, this giveaway is open to UK entries only.


Good luck!

We love sharing science books for kids that spark curiosity, stretch imaginations and show how exciting real science can be. Good luck to everyone entering – and keep asking brilliant (and slightly bonkers) questions! 💥🔍


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WIN Chris Packham’s new book – Superhero Animals!

We have FIVE copies of Chris Packham’s brilliant new book – Superhero Animals, with beautiful illustrations by Anders Frang, published by Red Shed.

“You have the power to help animals now, so that they will keep helping you, your family and your friends in the future.”
– Chris Packham

Get up close to nature with naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham OBE and encounter the amazing animal superheroes that will help us save the world.

From pollinating plants and the humble earthworm to the soil and the ocean — through fascinating facts and practical guidelines, Superhero Animals invites us to take a closer look at the natural life around us and teaches us how to care for it at a time when it is most urgent to do so.

To win one of FIVE copies, answer this question in the comments:

What is the largest animal in the animal kingdom?

A Hippopotamus
B Blue whale
C Elephant

This competition closes at midnight on 29th February 2024 and is open to UK residents only. Whizz Pop Bang competition terms and conditions are here.


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How does huddling help penguins stay warm?

Many animals, including walruses, penguins and monkeys, huddle in groups to keep warm. The centre of a huddle of Emperor penguins can reach 24℃ when the air temperature is as low as -40℃!

Watch a video about how huddling works here!


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COMPETITION CLOSED – Win brilliant science books by Dr Helen Scales!

Helen Scales is a marine biologist, writer, broadcaster, teacher and scuba diver who stars as our Science Hero in Whizz Pop Bang 96: Coasts. Read more about her in this issue, now available in our shop. She tells us all about her exciting job, including some of the books she has written, and we’re so excited to have five sets of two of these books to give away to mini marine biologists!

Scientists in the Wild: Galápagos by Helen Scales follows a group of marine biologists as they set sail to study the amazing wildlife and habitats of the Galápagos. To get the job done they will climb volcanoes, get sneezed on by marine iguanas, watch dancing birds, launch a deep-diving submersible and explore the dazzling underwater wonders of Galápagos.

Great Barrier Reef by Helen Scales (released 6th July 2023) introduces this incredible, intricate Australian ecosystem to young readers. Discover the plant and animal inhabitants of the Great Barrier Reef in this beautifully illustrated book, then find out what we can all do to ensure its survival.

To enter the competition, simply answer the following question in the comments:

Where is the Great Barrier Reef?

a) Australia

b) South America

c) Antarctica

The competition closes at midnight on 31st July 2023. For full terms and conditions, please visit: https://www.whizzpopbang.com/terms-and-conditions/.

Want to know more about Whizz Pop Bang – the awesomely amazing science magazine for kids?

  • Whizz Pop Bang is an award-winning science magazine that brings science to life for children aged six to twelve (and their parents too)!
  • Each monthly issue is packed with experiments, puzzles, science news, crafts, jokes, inspiring scientists, competitions and more!
  • Our aim is simple – to help children develop a love of science. We love to imagine what they might discover or invent one day!


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COMPETITION CLOSED – Win a bug-tastic bundle of STEM gifts!

We’re super excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with Laurence King Publishing and Insect Lore for May’s online competition which we are running on Instagram and Facebook only! Head over there to find out how to win this bumper prize!

Science gift competition bug bingo Whizz Pop Bang science magazine Insect Lore Butterfly Garden

You could win:

Bug Bingo Game – This beautifully illustrated bingo game features 64 species of bugs from around the world. Identify all kinds of insects – from the giant hawker dragonfly to the kissing bug and the orchid bee to the sacred scarab – mark them off on your card and bingo! Bug Bingo brings a fun and educational twist to the traditional game as players learn the names and colourings of both favourite species like the honey bee and more exotic bugs like the vampire moth. Contains one masterboard, 64 superbly illustrated bug tokens, 12 bingo cards and brightly coloured counters for you to mark up your card, as well as a leaflet containing basic information and a few quirky traits for all of the bugs featured.

Science gift competition bug bingo

Butterfly Garden – Experience the miracle of metamorphosis with this unique Butterfly Garden! Observe caterpillars grow and change into butterflies, and then release them. The kit includes a 30cm tall reusable habitat for easy butterfly watching and a voucher for 3-5 caterpillars with food. Once you have received your caterpillars, they will eat, spin silk, and grow to TEN times their original size! After 7-10 days watch as they hang upside down and form their chrysalides! Then watch as they emerge as beautiful Painted Lady Butterflies and observe them for a couple of days before releasing into nature.

Science gift competition Insect Lore Butterfly Garden

A 6-month magazine subscription for Whizz Pop Bang! Keep your young scientist engaged with a monthly magazine subscription filled with hands-on science activities, the latest scientific news, jokes, puzzles, and more! The best part? Loads of the supplies needed for the activities can be found in your kitchen cupboard.

Science gift competition Whizz Pop Bang science magazine

We are running this competition on Instagram and Facebook only! Head over to our socials to find out how to be in for a chance of winning one of three of these awesome bundles.

T&C’s: This giveaway closes at midnight on Wednesday 31st May 2023. One winner will be selected at random from all entries via Facebook and Instagram and will be contacted in the first week of June. This competition is open to UK residents only. Winner will be informed via your original comment by @whizzpopbangmag – please be wary of scams, do not give personal details or follow any links from other accounts. For full terms and conditions visit buff.ly/3ij98Q3 This competition is in no way affiliated, endorsed, sponsored or administered by Instagram or Facebook.


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Colin Butcher, a pet detective, with his highly-trained spaniel, Molly.

A pet detective’s amazing tales!

Colin and his dog, Molly. Photo: © Colin Butcher The Pet Detectives Ltd

Colin Butcher and his detective dog use their skills (and some science) to solve animal crimes. He’s told us some incredible stories in Whizz Pop Bang: DARING DETECTIVES, but we wanted to share even more with you!

You can find Whizz Pop Bang 92: DARING DETECTIVES in our shop from 1st March 2023!

Molly: the Pet Detective Dog by Colin Butcher is the true story of one amazing dog who reunites missing cats with their families. Find out more about Colin’s book here.

Colin has written a book about his clever cocker spaniel, Molly.

With the help of Molly, the Pet Detective Dog, and the team at The Pet Detectives, Colin has great success in recovering missing or stolen cats, dogs and other animals throughout the UK.

Molly, hard at work. Photo: © Colin Butcher The Pet Detectives Ltd

Read some of their success stories here:

Looking for Lucy

We once had a client who lived in the USA, who had donated $50,000 to help save unwanted dogs from the streets of Turkey. The story was, a lady who was running a rescue centre in Turkey would ship these dogs to America where they would be given new homes. Unfortunately, the woman who was running the rescue centre started to spend the money on herself and neglected the dogs. One of the dogs, Lucy, was going to be adopted by our client – but she disappeared from the rescue centre just before the police arrived. 

We were asked to conduct an investigation and find Lucy. We discovered that the day before the police had arrived at the rescue centre in Turkey, a delivery van had collected one of the dogs and left for eastern Europe. We found out that the van belonged to a company in Romania who occasionally delivered goods to England. We suspected that Lucy may have been smuggled out of Turkey, taken to Romania, and was now heading for England under a false name. We managed to find all the locations the van had delivered to in England, one of which was very close to a small dog rescue in Cumbria. We researched the rescue centre and discovered that the owner was a friend of the woman who lived in Turkey.

A week later, we went to the rescue centre in Cumbria and pretended to be looking for a new pet. We discovered Lucy (also known as Lady) tucked away in a small compound at the back of the rescue centre. We managed to convince the owner of the centre to let us adopt Lady and a few days later she was on her way to America to start a new life with our client.

Van-ished cat

Lulu, a Silver British Short-Hair climbed into the back of a delivery van in Wimbledon and jumped out when the driver arrived back at his depot. We worked out where Lulu had gone and introduced camera traps and feed stations to encourage her to remain in one spot. We then introduced a den for her and after five days we recovered her from the exact same spot where she had last been seen. She had sustained quite a bad injury whilst missing but, after receiving the appropriate care, made a full recovery.

Return to owner

Derrick abandoned his home in Willesden after being forced out of his territory by an older, more dominant tom cat. Working closely with Derrick’s owner, we removed the threat from the more dominant cat and then introduced a displacement strategy to encourage Derrick to return home. He was recovered one day later and is now safely back with his owner.


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