PARP

Make a Shadow Box
1. Cut out a window in the cardboard box for your screen. A serrated bread knife works well. Cut the window smaller than your paper.

2. For a smaller box i.e. Flat rate postal box, tape computer paper to the inside of the box for the screen.


Make the Puppets
1. Cut a fish out of black construction paper for starters.
2. Tape the stick on the back (see diagram for the hinge)
3. Cut scenery out of poster board, slide into scenery slot or secure it on the bottom of the screen i.e. coral for the sea scene
4. Punch holes for eyes, cut out shapes and add on ones with tape or glue. i.e. Add on another fin or a fancier tail.


Try It Out
1. Set your shadow box on a table in front of a window (light source)
2. Try your puppet out. Press it against the screen moving it up from the bottom and explore the coral reef.
3. Make more, try one with a moving part i.e. Cut out an octopus with 4 legs
Then cut out another set of 4 legs with an overlap at the top. Punch a hole near the top. Punch a hole in the main puppet near the bottom. Put a paper fastener in to connect the two parts. Make sure it is loose so when you jiggle it, it moves. Tape a control stick on the back.

Ideas for shows

1. Make more fish and other sea creatures to swim around the coral reef. Use the music “the Aquarium”(on Tea Party Shuffle)
2 . Make a parade of fish…a la McElligot's Pool by Dr. Seuss -or circus animals and have a percussion soundtrack with a tambourine, bells, whatever you have on hand. Have the children write whimsical descriptions of the creatures and assign a narrator.
3 Create a habitat: dessert, rainforest, farm, or make the animals for “Fiddle I Fee cat, hen, duck, etc., and bring them to life using the song. ( on Waltzing with Fireflies)
4. Cut out the Billy Goats, make a bridge and tell the story or act it out with the Billy Goat Gruff Song. Click for puppet patterns. (on Magic Parade)


P.S. Have fun decorating the shadow box with fringed paper or paint.
P.P.S . Perform anytime but if it’s a night time party, set up a light behind the box on the table.
P. P. P. S. Have fun and add more puppets entering the stage from both sides.

Supplies you need

Cardboard box (I used the flat rate postal box for starters)
Black construction paper
Black poster board
Masking tape or wide packing tape
Scissors
Shish-ka-bob sticks( at super market) snip off points.
Computer paper or larger thin paper for bigger screen (for grocery store box)
Paper fasteners ( brads)