How to Make Your Own Shadow Puppet Stage!

You will need:

• An Adult's Help
• An old cardboard box (the larger your box, the larger your screen can be)
• Pen, pencil, or marker
• Large plain paper (such as you would find on a roll, or on a large sketch pad)
• A ruler
• Wide tape (wide masking tape, packaging tape, etc.)
• Strong scissors
• A lamp (table lamp is fine)

1. Cut off any top flaps that might be on your card board box.

2. On the bottom of your box, draw a large square. You need to leave about two inches between your square and the edge of the box (this will make it more stable, and leaves room for the screen.)

3. With the help of an adult, cut out the square from the bottom of the box.

4. Lay your paper on a table or other flat surface. Trace the outside of the bottom of your box onto the paper.

5. Cut out the shape from your paper

6. On your paper, measure one inch in from the shape you traced. (The rectangle should get smaller.)

7. Cut out the 2nd, smaller shape.

8. Lay your box with the hole you cut facing down.

9. Place the paper you've just cut inside the box, so that it fits well in the bottom.

10. Tape your paper in place.

11. Now lay your box on its side on a table in front of the lamp (the paper/screen should face away from the lamp).

12. Turn the lamp on, and you have a shadow screen.

Extras: You can use colored cellophane to create an environment or mood. Ex- Blue cellophane can make it nighttime, or green could set you under water.

© Carolyn Smith 2000
www.pizpuppets.com

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