Puppet Show Decoration Ideas

Ask your kids to help you decorate the stage for a puppet show.

A puppet show can tell stories and convey messages that sometimes a human cannot. Children often respond particularity well to animated characters who act in a friendly and entertaining way. Also, a puppet can be used as a way to relate to children or get their attention. In puppet shows, the scenery is an important element in bringing the story alive. A well decorated show adds a visual element that enhances the stage, the performance and the audience's enjoyment.

Foreground Decorations

The decoration in the foreground is as important as the puppets themselves and the background scenery. Foreground decorations include foliage and flowers that place the characters in a setting such as a jungle, woods or garden. Other decorations include movable transportation cutouts like boats moving on waves or a car driving along with the puppets as passengers.

Backdrops

Backdrops tell the audience where the play is taking place. The backdrops should be easily interchangeable. How the backdrop is constructed depends on the size and shape of your stage. You can reuse generic backdrops to decorate a variety of puppet shows. Such generic backdrops include indoor scenes like a living room, an outdoor scene with white clouds, sun and a grassy field, or a cityscape.

Props

Props not only enhance the stage for the play, they make the puppet performances come alive. Generic props can be made and reused for many plays, while other props may need to be custom made for a performance. Some custom prop decoration ideas include items such as books, food, coffee cups, furniture or musical instruments. Ideally, the props should be small enough that the puppets can hold them or at least give the impression that they could be used by the puppets.

Other Decorations

Any other decorations or accessorizes related to the theme of the story can be used to dress up your puppet show. For example, you can use a sign with the name of the puppets or the title of the play. Consider allowing your kids to decorate the sides of the stage with markers. Have them draw pictures and write their names. Additionally, you can decorate the stage with a thick curtain made from fabric in a coordinating color and hides the puppets and puppeteers during the show.

References

• Creativity Institute: Puppet Theater Script Ideas
• School of Puppetry: Basics of Puppet Design and Building

Resources

• Family Fun: Puppet Playhouse