Monday, August 10, 2009

DIY Puppet Stage


A Yeebird reader/family friend saved this for me (thanks, Jackie!!). I love the idea. The directions didn't scan well, so I've retyped them, below:

Any doorway becomes center stage with this playful project from Cool Spaces for Kids ($19.99; Hachette). Here's how to get the show on the road.
Step 1: Start with a curtain that's at least half an inch wider than the doorframe, and cut out an opening for the "stage" (this one measures 18 by 16 inches).
Step 2: To make the stage's "curtains," select a contrasting fabric, and cut out a square that's slightly larger than the opening. Snip that square in half, then pin both pieces to the back of the opening at the top.
Step 3: For an extra (optional) fillip, cut triangles from a third fabric and pin them to the front of the opening at the top.
Step 4: Pin two 12-inch ribbon "tiebacks" to each side of the opening's front.
Step 5: Frame the stage--and sew the curtains, triangles, and tiebacks in place--by stitching ribbon around the opening.
Step 6: Sew a loop of ribbon onto the curtain's top corners, then hang from nails on the doorframe.
--VALERIE RAINS
(countryliving.com June 2009)

Wouldn't this be perfect in an elementary classroom? Talk about easy set-up! Puppet shows are a fun and wonderful way to teach children story elements -- beginning, middle, end, characters, setting, plot).

I plan to make one for my kids. Yee-version: I might just use an old tablecloth and a LOT of stitch witchery. Puppet shows have been all the rage in our house this week for some reason (thanks, Mum and Papa, for the puppets you gave Ian his first Christmas).

If you decide to make this, I'd love to know how it turns out.

2 comments:

  1. I cannot believe you posted this! I took a puppetry course in college.

    I am teaching middle school drama for the first time this year. I thought it would be best to have the students introduce themselves on the second day of school via puppets of themselves. This would be the perfect stage for their introductions! Thank you!

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  2. Wow, this is really cool! My ds would love it I'm sure.

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