How to Construct a Shadow Box

Make a shadow box using craft supplies.

Children often enjoy putting on theatrical plays and puppet shows. However, commercially-produced puppets and stages can be very costly. One alternative is to show your kids how to make a shadow box puppet theater using a few basic materials that can be found around the house or purchased inexpensively from an arts and crafts store. For example, turn a standard-sized shoebox into a shadow box that can be used during pretend play as a puppet theater.

Things You'll Need

• Standard shoebox
• Scissors
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Craft sticks
• Glue stick

Instructions

1. Turn a standard-sized shoebox upside down so the bottom side is facing up.

2. Cut out half of the bottom of the box using scissors. This will become the stage of the shadow box.

3. Paint the bottom and sides of the shoebox using acrylic paint to suit your preferences, then allow the paint to dry for 20 minutes.

4. Cut out figures, such as people or animals, from the piece of shoebox that was previously cut out.

5. Paint the cut-out figures using acrylic paint to suit your preferences, then allow the paint to dry for 20 minutes.

6. Spread glue onto the end of a craft stick, and press one of the figures onto the glue. Repeat to adhere all of the figures onto individual craft sticks. Allow the glue to dry for 20 minutes.

7. Cut a long, 8-inch long slit into the bottom side of the shadow box and insert the figures into the slit. You can now put on a shadow box puppet play.

References

• Crayola: Shoebox Shadow-Box Theater
• Family Fun: Shadow Box