I have the need to make it appear that my puppets are holding things. I've seen other puppeteers attach rods to the object the puppet needs to hold and manipulate the object rather than the hands but I'm not sure how they're making the hands stick to the objects. I've tried double sided scotch tape but it doesn't seem to stick to fleece well enough to keep the hands attached. Does anyone have any idea how this can be done.

Here's an example of what I was talking about regarding attaching the rods to the object.

When we did our film we had a character hold a rotary phone receiver.  We simply did a quick stitch with black thread (the same colour as the phone) and sewed the fingers and thumb to the palm.  When finished we just snipped the thread with no damage to the puppet hand.Can't even see the stitch on screen. 

We also has a puppet using a pencil.  That was just double sided tape as the object was so lightweight.   

During a live performance you have a rod attached to the object itself as you mentioned.  Then when you want the have the puppet pick it up then you simply grab both the arm rod and the object rod in the same hand and pick it up! I know it is easier said then done. It takes some practice because you need to slide your hand down the object rod with the hand rod in your hand till the hand meets the object, then you grab and lift both.

Now in the video you referenced it looks like they used PoorFishy's method. Video is easier then live in some respects. Not 100% how they attached to the puppets hands but I can tell the the weight of the object was held by the rod on it not by rods on the hands. With this method the connection could be as simple as double sided tape or perhaps they used soft Velcro on the inside palm and then the male or rough Velcro on the object. Velcro tends to have more holding power then double sided tape. You can't use either of these in a live performance or if on video you want them to be seen picking up and putting down in one shot.

I like the double rod idea, never heard of that one, if someone behind stage helps you get the object rod in place that would help. Most of the time we used rubber bands for our 2-5 year old crowds. I like stitching fingers together when that works for the script.

Another method - I'm using this right now for something - is to rig the puppet and prop with magnets. I need to be able to have a puppet take off a rather large head (part of a full body costume it's wearing) and hold it in it's hands using its rod-puppeteered arms. So I'm embedded magnets in the head and the puppet's hands. The only drawback is that once the puppet grabs the head, it can't let let go of it.

That solution is probably only useful in very specific situations. Most of the time I think Poorfishy's method (stitching the prop in to the hand) works best, or attaching the prop to a rod.

Cool idea Andrew.  I wonder if you could use some type of electro magnet in the hands that could be turned off an on. That way they could pick it up and then release it.

we tend to do a quick stitch like poorfishy.

Yeah, we do ours with the sticky velcro, like Shawn mentioned. The 'hook' side of the velcro forms a strong bond with the puppet's hand, and the sticky side can attach to the object you want them to hold. We've had our puppets holding notepads, pencils, and even a quite heavy telephone receiver (though that did require an additional perspex rod to spread the weight of it - see from 0:54  ). And then after filming, you just leave those items in your prop box, with the velcro still stuck on, for use again and again!

PS that glove and boots clip is awesome. love a bit of mario and fafa!