What to do

Choose a mini-beast. Try to see the basic shapes that make up its body and head.
Cut shapes out of card to represent these shapes (there are a couple of examples below).
Hinge the shapes together using the split pins.
Tape a straw to the back of each body part.
You should be able to manipulate the puppet to make it look as if your beastie is moving.

Examples:

Earthworm

Earthworms are long and wriggly. Their bodies are segmented.
Cut out several identical rectangles of card. Round the corners off.
Cut out two extra pieces for the head and tail. Cut them to the proper shape.
Lay the pieces down on the table so they overlap.
Join them together using the split pin paper fasteners.
Turn the worm over, and tape a straw to the back of the head and tail segments - you won't need straws on the others.
Make the worm wriggle by jiggling the straws.

Ladybird

Cut out a large round shape for the body, and a shaped black piece for the head segment.
Draw spots on the ladybird's back, and a line down middle where the wing case would open. Or use black sticky paper.
Stick white paper eyespots on the head.
Lay the two pieces down on the table so they overlap. Turn them over and join them using a paper fastener.
Make legs and antennae out of pipe cleaners, and stick them on to the body and head using sticky tape. Remember, insects have six legs!
Stick one straw on the head and and another on the body, and use them to make your ladybird move.

Can you make a play up starring a ladybird and an earthworm? What if a spider came along...?