All play ideasTorch shadow puppet theatre

Torch shadow puppet theatre

Cut simple puppets, prop up a sheet and tell a story in shadows on the wall.

Age 4 to 6 · Reception to Year 2Age 7 to 9 · Year 3 to Year 4IndoorRainy dayLight and dark week

Move the torch closer and the giant grows. That is light travelling in straight lines, learnt with a giggle.

What you need

  • A torch or phone light
  • Card and scissors
  • Lolly sticks or straws and tape
  • A pale wall or an old sheet

How to do it

  1. 1

    Cut three or four simple shapes: a person, a tree, a wolf, a moon.

  2. 2

    Tape each shape to a stick so hands stay out of the light.

  3. 3

    Darken the room and shine the torch at the wall.

  4. 4

    Try the puppet close to the wall, then close to the torch, and notice what happens to its size.

  5. 5

    Perform a two minute story for the family, with someone else moving the torch.

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