I used a refrigerator box from Atomic Appliance in Providence to make our puppet theater.
Supplies:
cardboard box
straight edge / ruler
pencil / markers
utility knife
paint
Optional:
Make curtains. Hang from dowel or wire or velcro onto box
Make show sign. Attach a small chalkboard to front of theater or make your own sign from masonite and chalkboard paint.
How to:
Cut an opening in the box to make the stage. Keep it simple or decorate theater with paint and curtains. A table top version can easily be made from a smaller cardboard box.
Puppets:
– Make your own puppets from socks or felt.
– Buy crafty pre-made puppets online from Mahar Dry Goods or Dwell Baby.
– Find plush, realistic puppets (like Folkmani) online or locally at Creatoyvity on Hope Street.
I attached the curtains with wire but a curtain rod would work. I poked a hole in the cardboard and then used a wire (or zip tie) to attach from back. I attached the cardboard with heavy mounting tape.
Hope this helps!
How do you attach the curtains with the dowel or wire? I assume you cut a hole in the sides, how do you get it to stay and not pull down through the cardboard over time.
Also how would you attach the chalkboard?
So incredibly cute!! – Laura
Boxes are free, just call first to see if they have any the day you plan to go.
I love the bent-wire Anisa curtain dowel! You guys are amazing.
And I love Atomic appliance.
Does the store give them away?
Fabulous!
this puppet theater is AMAZING!!! how fun.
i once hung a tension rod and cafe curtains very low in the doorway of the boys’ room as a make-shift puppet theater (that worked when they were 1 and 3).
very cool & inspiring!!!