Overview
In this activity, children will tear and arrange shapes to make a shadow puppet.
Materials
- Black construction paper
- Glue in a cup
- Craft sticks to spread the glue and for puppet handle
- OR a glue stick
- Optional: hole punch
Activities
What kind of puppet will you make? Will it be an animal or a creature?
1. First, make a shape for the head. Use your hands to slowly tear the paper. You can turn a little bit as you tear to make a round shape. Remember to make big shapes so your puppet can make a big shadow!
2. Next, tear a shape for the body. The body can be bigger than the head.
3. What shapes will you make for the legs?
4. What else will you add to your puppet? Does it need wings, horns, ears, spikes, or a tail?
5. When you have all the shapes for your puppet arranged, then you can use glue to attach them. Glue the big shapes first and the little shapes last.
- Dip, dip, dip the stick into the glue.
- Wipe, wipe, wipe the drip on the edge of the cup.
- Spread the glue only on the edge of each shape.
- Then, press each shape down where it was.
6. Glue a stick to the bottom of your puppet to make a handle.
7. Optional: If you have an adult with a hole punch, show them where to make holes for the eyes, and any other area.
8. Now it’s time to share your puppet!
- What kind of puppet did you make?
- What shapes did you use to make your puppet?
Find a place where light is shining on a wall to make a shadow with your puppet!
Video
Credits
Written by:
Andrea Burgay, Director of Digital Learning
Lia Zuvilivia, Teaching Artist
Lesson Development:
Julie Applebaum, Senior Director
Sassy Kohlmeyer, Director of Early Childhood Programs
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