How to Make Puppet Silhouettes

Silhouettes are made when you trace around a shadow onto heavy paper. Traditionally these silhouettes are cut out and framed. You can cast your shadow onto paper and cut it out to make a puppet silhouette. You can then hold your own puppet shows for the entire family using your new shadow puppets. Shadow puppets don't have to be as complex as traditional hand puppets, so are much simpler to make for younger children.

Things You'll Need

• Poster board Tape Pencil Scissors Paint stir sticks Glue Light

Instructions

1. Position a bright light so it shines on a blank wall. Tape the poster board to the wall where the light shines.

2. Stand in front of the light so your shadow is cast on the wall. You can also hold toys or stuffed animals in front of the light so their shadow is cast.

3. Trace around the shadow. You may need a partner to help if it is your shadow that needs traced.

4. Take the poster board off the wall and cut out the silhouette along the pencil lines.

5. Glue the silhouette to a paint stir stick. Make several different puppets and hold a puppet show by holding them in front of the bright light so their shadows are cast on the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Attach craft feathers, ribbons or other embellishments to your silhouette puppets to make the shadows more interesting. Decorate your puppets with crayons and markers.

References

• Crayola