wide tongue depressors (a.k.a. “craft sticks”)please see last pages in book
Use these charming storytelling theaters and the accompanying puppets to tell stories anywhere: in the car, snuggled on the couch, or just before bed. (Use the full directions in the Traveling Puppet Theater project on page 60 to make your own unique and fantastical versions.)
MATERIALS
wide tongue depressors (a.k.a. “craft sticks”)
craft glue
glue stick
wooden clothespins
an empty cereal box (at least 10” tall)
Mod Podge and foam brush
ruler
pencil
craft knife
1. Make color photocopies of the two theaters and puppets.
2. Carefully cut out each puppet. With a foam brush, coat the unprinted side of a cereal-box panel with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Place the images faceup on the panel and coat with another layer of Mod Podge, using your fingertips to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles. Allow to dry overnight.
3. Carefully trim the cereal-box panel edges from the puppet. Apply craft glue to the back of each image and attach it to the top of a craft stick. Lay all glued sticks on a piece of paper and clamp each with a clothespin. Allow them to dry.
4. To make theater stage, trim the edges of the backdrop and set aside. Cut the top and bottom off a cereal box and cut it open along one corner. It should be at least 16” × 10”. With a glue stick, apply glue to the cereal box panel and mount the theater onto it. Once dry, trim the edges of the mounted theater.
5. To cut slits in the theater stage, using a ruler, draw two straight lines on the back of the theater stage, each about 3” long. Make one on the left part of stage and another on the right. Cut the slits with craft knife.
6. Slide the puppets through the slits and begin telling stories.