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Shadow theater paper figures. How to make a shadow theater for children? Shadow theater with paper puppets

We offer two workshops on making shadow theater for children at home. You will learn how to make a screen and actors for a theatrical performance from light and shadow with your own hands, get acquainted with the theater of manual shadows, download templates for figurines of fairy tale characters and find useful tips on working with shadow theater.

Shadow theater helps children get acquainted with theatrical activities in a fun way, develop speech, show imagination, encourage children to actively interact, communicate, etc. Theatrical performances can be performed with children of all ages, both in a group and individually.

Shadow theater from Lego

We present a step-by-step master class with photos on how to make a shadow theater from the Lego Duplo constructor or its analogues.

Necessary materials:
  • constructor Lego Duplo (on, on)
  • Green Lego Duplo building plate (on , on )
  • sheet of A4 paper
  • phone with a flashlight function or other light source.
How to do

Build a theater stage frame out of red blocks and adjoining turrets out of colored bricks.

Source: lego.com

Place a white sheet of paper between the designs.

Build a stage behind the screen and build a phone stand out of blocks. Place the light source in front of the paper sheet.

Decorate the theater and prepare the actors for the performance.

Turn on the flashlight on your phone and start the show.

Shadow theater "Gruffalo" out of the box

Create your own shadow theater based on the popular book by Julia Donaldson "The Gruffalo" (,).

"The Gruffalo" is a fairy tale in verse for adults to read to children. A little mouse goes through a dense forest and, in order to escape from a fox, an owl and a snake, invents a terrible Gruffalo - a beast that loves to eat foxes, owls and snakes.
But can the resourceful little mouse outsmart all the hungry predators? After all, he knows very well that there are no Gruffalos ... Or does it happen?

Source: domesticblissnz.blogspot.ru

Necessary materials:
  • hero templates for printing (download);
  • A4 paper;
  • black cardboard;
  • wooden skewers;
  • scotch;
  • glue;
  • cardboard box;
  • scissors.
How to do

1. Download and print shadow theater templates. Stick on black cardboard.

2. Cut out the figures and glue a wooden skewer to each.

3. We make a screen (screen) for the shadow theater.

Lay the box flat. On large rectangular parts of the box, draw a frame, stepping back 1.5-2 cm from the edges. Cut along the marked lines.


4. Reassemble the box in its original state, but with the colored side inward.


RECOMMEND ON LABYRINTH.RU

5. Take a sheet of white A4 paper and cut it to fit the box. Cut out a rectangle of the same size from black cardboard.

6. Cut out trees from black cardboard and stick on a white sheet.

7. Glue the paper to the inside of the box as shown in the photo below.

8. Make a slot in the bottom of the box for the figurines.


9. Fix the screen to the edge of the table with tape.

10. Install the lamp at the back at a distance of 2-3 meters from the screen. In order for the shadows to be clear, the light must fall directly, and not from the side. Remember to warn your child to be careful with the hot lamp.

Shadow theater is ready! Turn off the lights, invite the audience and put on a shadow show.

Theater of hand shadows

Hand shadow theater is one of the simplest types of shadow art. For his equipment, you will need the most common items - a table lamp and a screen - a large sheet of white paper or cloth. If the room has light walls, a theatrical performance of light and shadow can be shown directly on the wall.

The drawings show how with the help of hands you can create silhouettes of animals, birds, people. With practice, you can bring the shadows to life and tell your own story.



  • You can start introducing children to the shadow theater from 1.5-2 years old. The first classes should take place as a theatrical performance, when the roles are played by an adult, and the children act as spectators. After the child understands the rules and traditions of theatrical art, he can be included in the game as a participant in the action. Children play and voice roles, learn texts and poems. At first, trust small uncomplicated roles. Then gradually get harder.
  • Cardboard figures of shadow theater actors should be black, then they will be contrasting and noticeable on the screen. For self-production of figures, use curly stencils. If you plan to reuse homemade figurines, we recommend that you laminate them.
  • In order for the shadows to be clear, set the light source behind, slightly to the side of the screen. The light source will be an ordinary table lamp or a flashlight.
  • The size of the shadow on the screen depends on the distance from the figurine to the lamp. If you bring the figure closer to the screen, then its shadow will become small and clear. If placed further away, the shadow will increase in size, and the contours will be blurry.
  • To ensure that the scenery does not move during the performance, fasten them to the screen itself with adhesive tape or paper clips.
  • Whatman paper, tracing paper or a white sheet is perfect as a screen. The smaller the screen you use, the thinner and more transparent it needs to be, and the brighter the light source you need.
  • In order to create a theatrical atmosphere, you can draw a poster, tickets, and even arrange an intermission.

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We recommend the book "A Night's Tale" by Beatrice Coron (

The room is dark and only small rustles of the last preparations are heard, when suddenly the light comes on. It rests on the screen of a white sheet. Dad clears his throat for the last time, and the first silhouette appears on the stage. And the story comes to life...

shadow theater is a great way to put on a magical performance, keep the kids busy and calm, develop a child's imagination, or simply put a child to bed. At the same time, the imagination of the crumbs works at 100, because in the silhouette the child will try to guess the grandmother, dog or mouse. A gentle and native voice from behind the curtains tells a story about distant (or not so) countries, about guys and animals, about good, evil and real magic itself. And all this can be done with your own hands from improvised means in just 15 minutes.

You can organize a stage for a shadow theater from an old box and cut out the silhouettes of the main characters from it, turn on the lamp and the fairy tale will come to life right before your eyes. So let's get started.

1. Making a scene

At the bottom of the old box, we outline a rectangle for the screen.

The outline does not have to be rectangular. The edges can be rounded and decorative patterns added. Thus, the box for the shadow theater will take on an absolutely magical look.

Cut out a hole.

We color this holey box (the item is optional, but it will look neater this way).

On the inside, glue a sheet of paper slightly larger than the hole in size.

2. Hero on a stick

We draw characters from a fairy tale on a sheet, but rather print ready-made templates.






We cut out the characters, stick them on cardboard of any density. Cut out the silhouettes and fix on a stick. For this, electrical tape, a glue gun or adhesive tape are suitable. I used duct tape and a glue gun just to be sure)

I used kitchen skewers, but popsicle sticks, old sticks or pencils work well too.

We are also preparing the scenery (the environment surrounding the characters). To do this, simply cut them out of cardboard of any density. The thicker the scenery, the more difficult it will be to cut it out, and the easier it will be to fix it to the screen.

3. Lifehacks

  • scenery fixing

Strips of cardboard can be fixed along the perimeter, in which it will be convenient to fix the scenery. That's it, the stage for the shadow theater is ready.

  • bottom hole

The farther the characters are from the screen, the more blurry their silhouettes appear. In order to keep the scene stable, but to have access "behind the scenes", I made a hole in the supporting wall. Thus, the characters became closer to the screen, and it became easier to control them.

  • mount heroes

Keeping all the heroes in one hand is almost impossible. Even with the "Pockmarked Hen" it was difficult. In order not to hold inactive characters in hand, we will make small cuts at the base of the stage. These cuts will hold heroes well on small skewers. If you use, for example, popsicle sticks, then the cuts will be slightly different.

4. Making a show

The do-it-yourself shadow theater is almost ready, it remains to install our design. We put the lamp behind and direct it to the screen. And then we follow the script and become directors.

For your convenience, I have prepared several templates for the very first and easy-to-stage fairy tales. And for the fairy tales "Kolobok" and "Teremok" you will find excellent texts in verse there.

Here is one of our first performances. It clearly shows how difficult it was to manage the characters before.

Have a magical evening!

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We have tried to fill our portal with the most interesting materials that are designed to help parents in their daily work on the upbringing and education of preschoolers. Website early childhood development"Goroshenko" offers all the variety of games and interesting tasks for children aimed at acquiring certain skills and improving their own skills. All materials posted on the portal have one goal - to prepare the child for school as much as possible.

Presentations for children as one of the best ways to teach a child

Information technology has come a long way in recent years. Modern children easily master computer technology, and as a result, child development presentations. This is a special kind of material that helps kids learn all the information more easily.

When preparation of children to school, presentation is often of key importance. Bright and colorful pictures allow the baby to visually see the world around him, to imagine in his imagination plants and animals that he has not yet met. Children's presentations for children are freely available, which allows all parents to use them in independent studies with the child.

Electronic presentations for children download - it is so simple

Modern sites present a wide variety of materials that parents can use in classes with their child. We tried to make our free presentations for kids slightly different from everyone else.


First of all, our materials are quite informative. They will be of interest not only to preschoolers. Such presentations for elementary school children fit just as well. A logical question arises - can a first-grader and a three-year-old child really learn the same amount of information that will be interesting for the first and understandable for the second.

Definitely not. Our materials work on a slightly different principle. Mainly presentations for children of the preparatory group. They cover all the points that the child needs to know by school. However, it is still necessary to start teaching the baby earlier - for example, at 3-4 years old, the child is already ready to see presentations for kindergarten children.

At this age, the baby is tormented by a wide variety of questions that adults, at times, cannot answer. But successful child development is possible only when he gets free access to all things interesting in his understanding. He may not understand some of the materials that are not yet so interesting to him due to his age, but if you repeat the lesson in six months, the baby will learn more points.

Preschool development of children using unique materials


The uniqueness of our materials lies in several important points. First, as mentioned above, is the availability and completeness of information, which makes development of preschool children successful. The second point is the bright and colorful pictures. Thus, preschool child development site trying to make it interesting, that is, the baby will definitely be interested in high-quality photographs and pictures that are in each presentation.

And, finally, one more point, in our opinion, one of the most important. Presentation for children free of charge implies the presence of certain tasks at the end, aimed at consolidating the materials and developing certain skills of the baby. These can be games for logic, thinking, speech development, fine motor skills development and others. Thus, the child easily absorbs all the information received and has a pleasant time next to his parents. Perhaps these are the best parameters for successful learning.

Do you want to offer your child a new interesting entertainment? Looking for original ideas? It is enough just to make a shadow theater with your own hands at home. You don't need any special equipment or materials. All tools are available. Such an activity will captivate the child so much that you can turn it into a creative, developing process.

The principle of organizing the spectacle

Shadow theater is one of the oldest. Previously, it was available only to the rich, as puppets were made from expensive materials. Subsequently, this entertainment became an exciting children's game. Do-it-yourself shadow theater at home is easy to do. You will need the following:

  1. Screen made of white translucent fabric.
  2. Directional lamp (regular table lamp).
  3. Objects that will act as artists.
  4. Scenery.

The screen is hung or placed between the audience and the light source. Figures that cast shadows are placed between the screen and the lamp. The closer the characters are to the light source, the bigger they will be on the "stage". It is important that your silhouettes are not in the beams of the flashlight, otherwise they will also be on the screen.

The objects with the help of which the performance is played out can be figures assembled from objects made of paper and other materials, moving people. In the latter case, more space will be required to organize the theater. In the first and second options, the plane of the table is sufficient.

Your hands are the best artists (diagrams)

If the child you are going to entertain is still small, it is enough to use your own palms. This is the easiest way to make a shadow theater with your own hands. Finger interlacing patterns are shown below.

First of all, you will have to practice folding your arms yourself. You can use static figures that will move along the scene. When this stage is mastered, move on to dynamic characters. Move your fingers, and the bunny's ears move, the wolf's mouth opens, and the bird flies, flapping its wings.

If the kid was impressed by the action and wanted to try himself as a director and director, motivate him, inspire him, praise him for everything he will do. This is a very useful developmental activity, as it improves the motor skills of the fingers. If initially not everything will work out for the baby, do not be discouraged. Gradually he will master this technique. Then it will be possible to move on to more complex productions with puppets and scenery.

Do-it-yourself main characters

When the finger theater is mastered, start making characters from improvised materials. You will need the following:

  • paper or cardboard;
  • pencil;
  • knife or scissors;
  • glue;
  • stencils, fabric (optional).

There are two ways to make figurines:

  • on sticks;
  • on flat bases.

The first option is more convenient because those who will keep them can be at a distance from them.

This is important so that shadows do not fall on the screen from the players themselves. In the second case, when the figures are rearranged, the hands of the player are visible. However, this option also has the advantage that the figurines can be placed and are in a static state without human intervention (they do not need to be held). At this time, another character will move between the standing figures. This is convenient, for example, to build decorations (trees, houses).

If you have decided on the design of the figures, proceed to the creation of their forms. The easiest way is to cut them out of paper. Cocktail tubes are suitable as sticks. Forms can be made solid or openwork, as well as adding fabric decor.

If you need to make a lot of the same items, it's easier to use stencils, that is, make one shape, and then circle them the required number of times. If you have children's stencils for creativity or any others, use them. They are convenient, as they are thematic, for example, according to fairy tales. With their help, you can easily and quickly make all the characters. You do not need to draw the characters yourself or look for samples of illustrations. Now it is easy to make figurines by printing images on a printer and cutting them out along the contour.

Making scenery

In addition to figurines, you can make objects that will create the atmosphere of a particular scene. In this case, do-it-yourself shadow theater is done longer, but it looks more diverse and interesting. It is worth remembering that children are fascinated not only by the production itself, but also by participation in the preparation of the performance.

The original idea of ​​​​creating the scenery and the characters themselves is presented in the photo above. Drawing characters and scenery on (a sheet of paper) with black paint is the performance itself. To do this, of course, you need to be able to hold a brush in your hands. The contours of objects can be outlined with thin lines in advance.

Kids want to be artists too

Do-it-yourself shadow theater can be created by children even without the participation of adults. You will be the audience for an impromptu performance. Hang the sheet on the frame, install the lamp. Let the children imitate different movements, imagine themselves

Performance ideas

With the help of such entertainment, you can have fun with friends and their children. Arrange a joint performance. If you decide to make a collective shadow theater with your own hands, the fairy tale that will be the basis of the script must be selected in advance. In this case, everyone will receive a task, which heroes he should make. Such a creative process will be very exciting and everyone will like it.

You saw that it is not difficult to make a shadow theater with your own hands. All materials are available, and the process of creating a performance is as interesting as watching the action. This exciting activity will help to entertain the baby at home and have fun.

Shadow theater is widely practiced in the system of pedagogical education. At the same time, this type of art, as a rule, does not require sophisticated equipment and serious acting skills, which provides additional opportunities for its use both in educational institutions and at home.

History of occurrence

According to individual historical sources, shadow theater as an art originated in ancient China, during the Han Dynasty. According to another version, the shadow theater was borrowed from the culture of ancient Egypt. The most common subject for performances in China was the historical epic. In other states that adopted this type of art, the plot also had its own specifics. So, for example, in India, shadows were more often focused on religious themes, and in Turkey - on comedy.

In our country, the shadow theater appears at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries, during the reign of Anna Ioannovna. So, for example, its elements were used within the framework of school theaters in theological seminaries and academies.

The role of shadow theater in the development of children

Children's shadow theater is not just a kind of game for a child - it is an additional way of its development. Shadow games stimulate the baby's imagination, develop his imagination. Getting certain characters here is possible, for example, by folding fingers in a certain way. Accordingly, this provides additional opportunities for the development of dexterity of the child's hands, the consistency of his movements.

At the same time, if we are talking about an early age, then the performance can be arranged by the parents of the baby. Older children are already able to take part in the play themselves. For group lessons it is also possible to use the shadow theater. In kindergarten, these entertainments are often used as exercises for the development of the child's motor skills and speech. And text accompaniment, in turn, stimulates the speech culture of the baby.

Finger shadow theater

This type is the most common in working with babies. It allows you to create a shadow theater with your own hands. To create it, you need a flat one and a lamp. The lamp should be placed against the center of the screen, at a distance of several meters from the wall so that the light falls directly on it. It is better if the following proportion is observed: the width of the screen is equal to the distance from the lamp to the screen.

The material for the screen can be any translucent fabric or tracing paper stretched over a plywood frame.

A sheet fixed in the doorway is also suitable. Or you can install a simple screen, behind which the light source will be located. In this case, it is necessary to choose the right angle so that the leader's shadow does not overlap the shadows of the hands. In addition, to enhance the effect, the room should be as dark as possible. By folding your fingers into a certain combination, you get the image of a particular character. Then it all depends on your imagination. To make your performance more entertaining, you can organize reading by roles, include appropriate background music, etc.

Used images

You can choose the most diverse silhouettes for the shadow theater, depending on the plot of your performance. It is better to start with simpler images, gradually complicating the combinations. The most common are animal silhouettes; also with the help of hands it is possible to depict human figures, plants and various objects. At the same time, you can give the child the opportunity to name the characters or objects that he sees. It is also desirable to depict the interaction between the characters: how they react to each other, talk, move in space, etc. In addition, each image created can be accompanied by a small poem, for example: “A butterfly lives one day. The left wing of a butterfly is the dawn. Right - evening ”(S. Kozlov). Your performance will be more exciting if you tell a fairy tale or fable (in which there are a small number of heroes) with the help of characters. For example, the fables of I. A. Krylov are well suited.

Use of additional funds

If the performance is aimed at children of the older group of the kindergarten, it is possible that the finger shadow theater will captivate them less. Still, this activity is more suitable for kids. How to make the shadow theater more vivid and memorable? In this case, it is possible to use additional funds. So, for example, if we are talking about a play in an educational institution, and not a family home evening, it is better to use a real, professional screen.

The characters for the performance can be both ordinary dolls and silhouettes specially made from various materials. In this case, it is better to choose black material for cutting out characters. it is better to attach to sticks. You can complicate the action by using more mobile forms. So, for example, it can be moving with the help of special ropes.

Instructions for making dolls

A sketch is made on thin cardboard, according to which the head of the future character is cut out. Using glue or a paper clip (you can also use a needle and thread), a paper tube for the index finger is attached to the head - together they form the body of the doll. In turn, the middle and puppeteer become the character's legs. At the same time, it is better to make the figures in such a way that their heads and limbs are moving - this will make the shadow theater for children more dynamic and emotional.

Then it is necessary to make punctures in the details and thread segments of wire into them, twisting in a spiral on both sides. In order to make eyes for the doll, punctures are also first made, the holes of which are subsequently expanded with some pointed object (awl, knife, etc.). A circle cut out of a colored transparent film is glued onto the hole. Then the details of the doll are covered with black paint.

Character Making Example: Baby Elephant

Buttons can also be used to give the figurines mobility. Here is an example of making an elephant figurine for a performance:

The legs and torso are cut out of cardboard according to the template;

Small holes are made at the place of attachment of the first and second pair of legs;

Pairs of legs are fastened with rubber bands and buttons (the elastic band is threaded through the holes of the buttons, and its ends are passed through the legs and body of the baby elephant);

On the reverse side, the design is also fixed with buttons or with a piece of a match.

Thus, the baby elephant acquires a movable joint, which allows him to depict the movement of his legs during the performance.

Stage and scenery

If you use puppets in the performance, then you should decide on the stage on which the performance will take place. For example, it can be made from a large rectangular box: a large hole is cut into it, which is then sealed with a white sheet of paper.

Also, the shadow theater looks more spectacular if you use the scenery. They can be cut out of paper and attached to the edge of the screen.

At the same time, it is important that, on the one hand, the scenery is clearly visible, and on the other hand, it leaves enough space for the characters of the performance in the center of the screen.

Thus, the shadow theater in kindergarten is not only an element but also an element of their own creativity, as well as a component of the system of education and development of the child. In addition, activities of this kind stimulate the emotional sphere of children - emotions accompany both the process of preparing a performance, making characters and scenery, and the plot of the play itself. An additional effect to the performance, of course, adds a curtain.