A few weeks ago we had some friends over for a shadow puppet night. We made a simple puppet stage with a cardboard box and a sheet, put our brightest flashlights and lanterns behind it, and gave the kids their shadow puppets. And, while we talked and ate pizza and brownies the kids planned their production.
When it was time for the shows to begin I was totally impressed. They had orchestrated quite the stories ...complete with soundtrack (they sung the soundtrack). They had all the adults laughing and when the evening was over my kids asked when we were going to have our next puppet show night. I think they had future scripts in the works. (If my camera and my camera skills were a little more advanced I would know how to take a good picture of something like this...but you can take this and use your imagination right?)
Any way it was so much fun that I think it will become an old standby at our house. The only thing is that if you want to have a shadow puppet show you need to have the puppets. And since I would really love for you to have just as much fun as we did the other night...I made you some! This guy...
And these folks....
And this guy....
And there's so many more! A princess, a knight, a horse, a wolf, birds, a cat, an old granny, ....and on and on. They are laminated on the front and some have moving parts. All you need is a good light and your makeshift stage (or you can just us the wall as your stage, remember making shadow puppets with your hands?) and you're ready to go. Your kids will love them I promise.
Want them? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you are entered to win! Tell me what your favorite section of this blog is or what you would like to read about here or just anything about yourself.
A winner will be chosen using a random number generator and will be announced Sunday Night. All comments must be posted before noon on
Sunday May 16, 2010. If you are the winner I will provide an e-mail so you can tell me where to send your new collection of puppets.
And don't worry, if you don't win I will be doing a post with full instructions, including templates, so you can make your own.
I'm the first comment, so that should count for something :)
ReplyDeleteWe are trying the chocolate chip cookie recipe tonight! I'm super excited! I have never even heard of shadow puppets (besides the ones you make with your hands), but I think they are darling! Love this blog :)
Sweet- you are so amazing I swear. Super cute idea!
ReplyDeleteCute! I love your ideas! Actually, my favorite part about this post was the fact that you left the kids alone to make up their own skit. I always feel the need to orchestrate everything myself but I need to learn to let go... especially now that my oldest is getting to the age of being able to make up her own stories. Thanks for sharing another fun project!
ReplyDeleteI want them as a souvenir to remember you by- Meg
ReplyDeletemy kids think I'm so creative because I steal your ideas...marshmellow catapult. I used to do creative projects but I don't know what happened. I guess I'll keep stealing yours!
ReplyDeletehey, those are pretty cute and fun, maybe it will be my lucky day! We did bubbles today and loved it, thanks for the idea
ReplyDeleteFun puppets!! Your blog is a great one to read. I really like how you show real life. (not always the clean and neatly pressed part) I really enjoy the really creative activities you have in here. I have 5 little people and sometimes find myself getting caught up in the what has to be done and then don't have time or energy to do all the fun memory making times. And your family night and date night ideas rock. Just the other day I sat down and planned out our summer. You know excited to have everyone home, but want to get the most out of it. So I went week by week and added in most of your fun ideas in there. Keep them coming. My blog is private, but if you leave a comment on my open blog at:
ReplyDeletehttp://saraandbatsam.blogspot.com/, I will give you an invite. thanks again, Sara
I'm liking everything that you're posting. I love the fun, easy ideas to do with kids. That's really helpful for me. But I enjoy reading it all! These puppets looks super cute and it would be fun to do! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing you've posted is the "Sweet Talk" Idea...and I like to read about the other family strenthening things you do. You are very creative and thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just found your blog today! I've been feeling kind of blah lately, but now I'm armed with lots of new ideas and inspiration for the summer. Thanks! Was just reading about the marshmallow catapult, and we'll be trying that for sure... I'm betting it will be one of those "toys" that we (parents) have even more fun with than our 2.5yo dd. And please enter me for the giveaway : ) .
ReplyDelete