Pop-Up Puppets
Puppets pop up through the floor of this circus theater created from a recycled box. Act out Peter Spier's Circus! or any favorite book!
1. Read Circus! by Peter Spier or another book that really appeals to you. What animals and people do you see in a circus? Clowns? Elephants? Jugglers? What does the tent or arena look like? Use Crayola® Colored Pencils to make a list of details such as the book's setting and circus performers. With a small group of classmates, make this puppet stage and puppets to retell the story.
2. With Crayola Scissors, ask an adult to help you cut off all flaps on a recycled box to make a puppet theater.
3. Cover your art area with newspaper. Use Crayola Washable Tempera and Paint Brushes to paint your theater. Air dry.
4. Use Crayola Washable Markers, Construction Paper Crayons, and Glitter Glue to decorate the box so that it looks like the setting of your circus. You may want to use construction paper or decorative craft supplies, too. Air dry.
5. On posterboard, draw and color the main characters and animals from the story. Cut out the puppets. Glue each one to the top of a craft stick with Crayola School Glue. Air dry flat.
6. Ask an adult to help you cut slits in the bottom of the theater so your characters can pop up through the floor. Insert the puppets as they appear. It's time for the show!
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Glitter Glue—
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.
Adult Assistance is required for this arts & crafts project.
Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points
- Add circus music to complement scenes in your puppet show.
- Transform your classroom or playground into a circus. Make costumes. Show various circus acts.
- Make similar stage sets and characters for favorite books. Or write your own stories and make puppet stages for them.
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