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Shadow puppet theater is a centuries old practice and can be a fun, new experience for your kids! Shadow puppet theater is generally performed in a darkened room, with the puppets behind the curtain instead of in front of it, with a light shining on them to help them show through the fabric. The puppets are decorated with interesting cutouts so that they will show through, as well. Make your very own shadow puppets and have a special kind of show!

Shadow Puppet Gear

Cardboard or cereal box
Pencil
Scissors
Paper fasteners
Paper punch
Dowels or chopsticks
Tape
White sheet
Lamp, strong flashlight or other light source

How To Bring Those Shadow Puppets To Life!

1. Draw a character on a piece of cardboard or cereal box. Cut it out. If you want the arms and legs to move, cut these separately from the puppet's body.

2. Attach the arms and legs to the puppet's body with paper fasteners.

3. Punch holes into the puppet to add features or interesting details, such as eyes and patterns on the puppet's body.

4. Tape a dowel or chopstick to the puppet's body and each moving body part. If you don't have a dowel or chopsticks, you can also use pencils.

5. To put up your puppet theater, hang a white sheet across a doorway. Secure with lots of tape.

6. Shine a lamp, strong flashlight or other strong light source behind the sheet. Sit behind the light, holding the puppet between the light source and the sheet. For best results, keep the puppet near the sheet. Break a leg!

Submitted by Leximom