How to Make a Shadow Puppet

Puppets have been used for many years to entertain children. Some believe the very first puppets were shadow puppets. Creating your own shadow puppets can be a great family activity that you can do with your kids.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dark-colored poster board
• A design
• Small sharp knife
• Masking tape
• Wooden skewer or other handle

1. Find a design online that you want to use for your shadow puppet or draw your own onto a piece of dark-colored or black poster board. If using a design from the Internet, transfer the image onto the poster board with tracing paper.

2. Cut out the shapes. Cut eyes into the shadow puppets, cut the shape of a hat on its head and add other intricate patterns to give it interest.

3. Tape a wooden skewer or a similar stick to the back. Position this handle so at least 4 inches of it extends out from the bottom. You should be able to comfortably grip the handle in your fist.

4. Create your stage and put on your shadow puppet show behind a white piece of paper (the screen) with a light shining behind the stage to create the shadow.