How to Build a Children's Puppet Stage
Building a children's puppet stage is almost as much fun as putting on the puppet show itself. Next time you have a rainy afternoon, gather a group of children around and work together to create a stage designed specifically for your favorite productions. Enjoy the cutting, the piecing together and the decorating, as everyone contributes to the final design. Then let the show begin.
Things You'll Need
- Large cardboard box
- Box cutter or sharp scissors
- Hook-and-loop fastener strips
- Thin cardboard (such as cereal boxes)
- Scraps of cloth
- Markers or paint
Instructions
-
-
1
Draw an initial design for your children's puppet theater on a piece of paper. As you make the design, consider the sizes and shapes of the puppets that will be on display .
-
2
Ensure that everyone agrees with the final design, then draw it on a cardboard box. A refrigerator box works best for large theaters with big puppets, but a smaller box is fine for smaller puppets.
-
-
3
Cut a window in the box wherever you want puppets to show through. This should be done with a box cutter or sharp pair of scissors.
-
4
Paint the children's puppet stage according to your original design. Try to keep the lines and colors compatible with your puppet show, so they enhance the show rather than detract from it,
-
5
Secure a long strip of hook-and-loop fastener over the opening after the paint dries. This strip will allow you to attach and change backgrounds for your puppet show.
-
6
Create different backgrounds on pieces of paper or thin cardboard, painting them with bright colors. You can also use different-colored fabrics for the background.
-
7
Add hook-and-loop strips to the top edge on the front of each background, so you can secure it to the hook-and-loop strip above the openings on the cardboard box. This makes it easy to do quick scenery changes.
-
8
Secure a hook-and-loop strip above the main window on the front of the box. Add another hook-and-loop strip to the fabric you want to use as a curtain, then press the strips together so your curtain is in place and properly aligned.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you use a very large box, consider placing pillows or small stools inside so the performers can work the show in comfort. Cut a refrigerator box along its vertical line and turn the box inside out to eliminate writing.
Adults should supervise children when cutting with a knife or sharp scissors.
