Surprise the baby: do-it-yourself shadow theater

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

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 most ancient forms of art. Previously, it was only available 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 (ordinary 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 do not appear in the beams of the lantern, otherwise they will also be onscreen.

As objects with which the performance is played, there can be figures assembled from fingers, 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 (schemes)

If the child you are going to entertain is still small, just 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. Wiggle your fingers and the bunny's ears will move, the wolf's mouth will open, and the bird will fly, 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.

The main characters are their ownhands

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.

It is important that no shadows 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, start creating their shapes. 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 decorations.

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 tofairy 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 figures by printing out images on a printer and cutting them out along the contour.

Making decorations

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 for creating the scenery and the characters themselves is shown in the photo above. Drawing characters and scenery on a white screen (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.

Children also want to be artists

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 as fairy-tale characters.

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 caseeveryone will receive a task, what heroes he should make. Such a creative process will be very exciting and everyone will like it.

You have seen 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 fun activity will keep your little one entertained at home and have fun.