Shadow Puppet Theater


(Image credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Bali_Wayang_Kulit_shadow_puppet_Ramayana_Hanoman_dramatic_show_4.jpg)

Many  cultures have their own version of shadow puppet theater.  Shadow puppet theater is an age-old method of storytelling and entertainment. It is a good way to stimulate your children's creativity and imagination.  They will enjoy putting up a shadow puppet play as well as watching one put up by others.  Best of all, it could be done with materials you most likely already have at home.

Basic materials are a cardboard box, anything translucent that can be used as a light backdrop (like wax paper), a light source, stiff paper and sticks for the puppets, glue or adhesive tape,  a cutter, and a pair of scissors.  (WARNING: Please assist your children in using cutters and scissors.)  There are many online tutorials on how to do it, like this one. 

For your story, you can make a puppet show out of fairy tales, folk tales, nursery rhymes, or even stories from the Bible.  You can also make your own story.  Choose your story ahead of time, because it will determine the puppets you will need to make.

When you are ready to perform, just turn on your light source behind the screen and project the shadows of your puppets on it. The shadows will be visible from the other side.

Enjoy!

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