If your children love to listen to fairy tales and play mini-performances in front of you, reading them by roles, give them a magical gift - a home theater of shadows. With your own hands you will create a miracle. The design will help the children to get acquainted with this art in a fun way. Shadow theater contributes to the development of speech activity and fantasy in children. It will be an excellent teaching aid for kindergarten students or children of primary school age.
An easy way to make a shadow theater with your own hands
The design can be easily built from improvised materials. For work you will need:
- black cardboard;
- cereal box;
- ordinary tape;
- double sided tape;
- glue;
- scissors.
Take a box and cut two windows on both sides of it. There should be 2 cm wide frames around the windows.
From black cardboard, also cut out the figures of trees, the silhouette of clouds, the sun, birds. Now you need a sheet of white paper. Stick it all on him. Place the leaf in a cereal box. Fix it with glue. In its lower end part, make a slot 1 cm wide. It should be the entire length of the box. There will be paper actors.
Now you need to fix the structure. Attach the shadow theater for children with double-sided tape to the edge of the table or stool. The main thing is that there is enough space left behind for the leaders. Place a table lamp at the back, light it up and invite the audience.
You can take a much larger box and do the same with it. In order for the design to have a neater appearance, it can be painted with gouache or acrylic paints. Sew backstage for her. Shadow theater for children can be used both at home in individual lessons and in group classes.
figurines
Draw the outlines of the actors and scenery on the back of the black cardstock. Cut them out. Glue the ends of wooden skewers to them. Resist the temptation to color your shadow puppets. The black color gives contrast on the screen, and the figures are quite noticeable. Experiment with details, for example, butterfly wings can be cut out of a colored plastic folder.
The limbs of the characters can be made movable. To do this, attach a thin soft wire to your legs and arms and move them during the performance. Shadow theater stencils can be purchased at the store or you can draw the figures yourself.
For the presentation to be successful, you need to follow some rules:
- To create clear shadows, the light from the lamp should fall directly. Do not place the light source very close. The optimal distance is 2-3 meters from the wall.
- Start playing with simple productions. Two or three characters are enough to start.
- Remember: the theater screen must be between the audience and the light source. Be careful: do not forget that the lamp tends to heat up. The figurines should be placed between the light source and the screen.
- The size of the figures during the presentation depends on how far or close they are from the screen. To increase the character's size, move it further away; to zoom out, move closer.
Shadow theater for professionals
Having made a shadow theater with your own hands and having trained in small productions, I want to complicate the task. To do this, you can increase the number of actors. Sometimes children ask the question: “How to make a shadow theater in color?” To do this, use colored light bulbs. For example, for evening scenes - blue, for morning scenes - red, as at dawn. For the production, you can also consider musical accompaniment.
Script writing and pre-production rehearsals
The first stage is over: you have created a shadow theater with your own hands. Now you need to choose a repertoire. Choose fairy tales for performances according to the age of the children. The children like to remake the good old fairy tales in a new way. You can change heroes, add new characters. For example, from the fairy tale "Turnip" you can make a New Year's story. For example, instead of a vegetable, forest dwellers planted a Christmas tree. Couldn't pull it out. Decorated and began to celebrate the New Year.
If you want to show the performance to friends or grandparents, then you should rehearse it several times in advance. Roles need to be learned by heart, since it will be difficult to read from a piece of paper in the dark. If the guys like the game, then expand it by making a real screen, programs, tickets. Have an intermission with real snacks.
My son and I love shadow play, it's just magic in the dark! Ever since we made it together theatre Our performances take place daily. There are templates for several more fairy tales: Kolobok, Zayushkina hut, Mumiy trolls, Three little pigs, Bremen town musicians, a hedgehog in the fog, a circus. Of course, we have already accumulated a lot of heroes, templates for the shadow theater are all coming :)) patterns, which I managed to find on the net, and at the same time fairy tales to some. Shadow theater stencils from Online magazine free advice.Tales for the theater of shadows. Download shadow theater templates.
I also want to note that black cardboard is not necessary for templates of shadow theater heroes, color and even white are suitable, the shadow gives the same!
And, in order not to get confused in a large number of templates, I make each fairy tale from cardboard of a different color, it’s understandable that some are repeated :) And I keep it in different envelopes.
We also make posters for performances and tickets :)
Download shadow theater templates
These home theater templates are from SHADOW THEATER at home, Along the moonlit path
I will post templates based on fairy tales:
Kid and Carlson
under the mushroom
Cheburashka
Red Riding Hood
Astrologer
Swan geese
Tales for shadow theater
Swan geese
Red Riding Hood
under the mushroom
Somehow the Ant caught a heavy rain.
Where to hide?
The Ant saw a small fungus in the clearing, ran to it and hid under its hat.
Sitting under a mushroom - waiting for the rain.
And the rain keeps getting stronger and stronger...
A wet butterfly crawls to the mushroom:
Ant, Ant, let me get under the fungus! I got wet - I can not fly!
Where will I take you? - says the ant. - I'm the only one here somehow fit.
Nothing! In crowded but not mad.
The Ant let the Butterfly under the fungus.
And the rain is getting worse...
The mouse runs past:
Let me go under the fungus! Water flows from me.
Where are we going to take you? There is no place here.
Move a little!
They made room - they let the Mouse under the fungus.
And the rain keeps pouring and doesn't stop...
Sparrow jumps past the mushroom and cries:
Wet feathers, tired wings! Let me dry under the fungus, relax, wait out the rain!
There is no place here.
Move over please!
Moved - Sparrow found a place.
And then the Hare jumped out into the clearing, saw a mushroom.
Hide, - shouts, - save! Lisa is chasing me!
It’s a pity for the Hare, says the Ant. -Let's push some more.
They just hid the Hare - the Fox came running.
Have you seen a rabbit? - asks.
Did not see.
Lisa came closer, sniffed:
Isn't that where he hid?
Where can he hide?
Lisa waved her tail and left.
By that time the rain had passed - the sun came out. Everyone got out from under the mushroom - they rejoice.
The ant thought and said:
How so? Previously, it was crowded for me alone under the mushroom, but now there was a place for all five!
Qua-ha-ha! Qua-ha-ha! someone laughed.
Everyone looked: a Frog sits on a mushroom cap and laughs:
Eh, you! Mushroom something...
She didn't say it and ran away.
Everyone looked at the mushroom and then guessed why at first it was crowded under the mushroom for one, and then there was a place for five.
Did you guess?
Little Raccoon
Little Raccoon was small but brave. Once Mama Enotikha said:
The moon will be full and bright tonight. Little Raccoon, can you alone go to the fast-flowing stream and fetch crayfish for supper?
“Well, yes, of course,” said Little Raccoon. “I will catch you such crayfish as you have never eaten before.”
Little Raccoon was small but brave.
At night the moon rose, big and bright.
“It’s time, Little Raccoon,” Mom said. “Go until you get to the pond.” You will see a large tree that is thrown across the pond. Cross it to the other side. This is the best place to catch crabs.
By the light of the moon, Little Raccoon set off.
He was so happy! So proud!
Here he is - Went into the forest
All alone
First time in life!
At first he walked slowly
Soon Little Raccoon entered the dense, thick forest.
Old Porcupine rested there.
He was very surprised to see that Little Raccoon was walking in the forest without his mother.
Where are you going all alone? asked Old Porcupine.
"Aren't you scared, Little Raccoon?" asked the Old Porcupine. “You know you don’t have what I have, such sharp and long needles.
- I'm not afraid! said Little Raccoon: he was small, but brave.
At first he walked slowly.
Soon he came to a green meadow. Big Skunk was sitting there. He, too, wondered why Little Raccoon was walking in the forest without his mother.
Where are you going all alone? Big Skunk asked.
— To the swift stream! said Little Raccoon proudly. "I'm going to catch crayfish for supper."
"Aren't you scared, Little Raccoon?" Big Skunk asked. “You know, you don’t have what I have: I spray a liquid with a nasty smell, and everyone runs away.”
- I'm not afraid! said Little Raccoon and walked on.
Not far from the pond, he saw the Fat Rabbit.
Fat Rabbit was sleeping. He opened one eye and jumped up.
- Oh, you scared me! he said. “Where are you going all alone, Little Raccoon?”
- I'm going to a fast stream! said Little Raccoon proudly. "It's on the other side of the pond."
— Oo-ooo! said the Fat Rabbit. “Are you not afraid of Him?”
- Whom should I be afraid of? Little Raccoon asked.
- The one who sits in the pond, - said the Fat Rabbit. - I'm afraid of Him!
Well, I'm not afraid! said Little Raccoon and walked on.
And finally, Little Raccoon saw a large tree that was thrown across the pond.
“Here I have to cross,” Little Raccoon said to himself. “And there, on the other side, I will catch crayfish.
Little Raccoon began to cross the tree to the other side of the pond.
He was brave, but why did he meet That Fat Rabbit!
He didn't want to think about the One who was sitting in the pond, but he couldn't help himself.
He stopped and looked.
Someone was sitting in the pond!
It was he! Sat there and looked at Raccoon by the moonlight. Little Raccoon did not show that he was afraid.
He made a face.
The one in the pond also made a face.
What a face it was!
Little Raccoon turned back and ran as fast as he could. He rushed past the Fat Rabbit so fast that he was frightened again. And so he ran, ran without stopping until he saw the Big Skunk.
- What? What? Big Skunk asked.
- There, in the pond, sits Someone big, big! cried Little Raccoon. "I can't get through!"
“Do you want me to go with you and chase him away?” Big Skunk asked.
— Oh, no, no! said Little Raccoon hurriedly. "You mustn't do that!"
"All right," Big Skunk said. "Then take the stone with you." Only to show Him that you have a stone.
Little Raccoon wanted to bring home crayfish. So he took the stone and went back to the pond.
Maybe he's already gone! Little Raccoon said to himself. “No, He didn’t leave!”
He was sitting in the pond.
Little Raccoon did not show that he was afraid.
He raised the stone high.
The one who was sitting in the pond also raised the stone high.
Oh, what a big stone it was!
Little Raccoon was brave, but he was small. He ran as fast as he could. He ran, ran without stopping until he saw Old Porcupine.
- What? What? asked Old Porcupine.
Little Raccoon told him about the One who sits in the pond.
He also had a stone! said Little Raccoon. “Big, big stone.
“Well, then take a stick with you,” said Old Porcupine, “go back and show him that you have a big stick.”
Little Raccoon wanted to bring home crayfish. And so he took a stick and went back to the pond.
“Maybe He got away,” Little Raccoon said to himself.
No, He didn't leave!
He was still sitting in the pond.
Little Raccoon didn't wait. He lifted up his big stick and threatened it.
But Togo, in the pond, also had a stick. Big, big stick! And he threatened Little Raccoon with that stick.
Little Raccoon dropped his stick and ran.
He ran, he ran
Past the Fat Rabbit
Past Big Skunk
Past the Old Porcupine
Without stopping, all the way to the house.
Little Raccoon told his mother all about the One who sits in the pond.
“Oh mother,” he said, “I so wanted to go alone for crayfish! I so wanted to bring them home for dinner!
- And you will! - said Mama Raccoon. - I'll tell you what, Little Raccoon. Come back, but this time...
Don't make faces
Don't take a stone with you
Don't bring sticks!
- What should I do? Little Raccoon asked.
- Just smile! - said Mama Raccoon. - Go and smile at the One who is sitting in the pond.
- And nothing more? Little Raccoon asked. "Are you sure?"
“That's all,” Mom said. “I'm sure.
Little Raccoon was brave, and Mom was sure of it.
And he went back to the pond.
Maybe he's gone at last! Little Raccoon said to himself.
No, he didn't leave!
He was still sitting in the pond.
Little Raccoon forced himself to stop.
Then he forced himself to look into the water.
Then he forced himself to smile at the One who was sitting in the pond.
And the One who was sitting in the pond smiled back!
Little Raccoon was so delighted that he began to laugh. And it seemed to him that the One who was sitting in the pond was laughing, just like raccoons do when they are having fun.
He wants to be friends with me! Little Raccoon said to himself. “And now I can cross over to the other side.
And he ran up the tree.
There, on the bank of a fast-flowing stream, Little Raccoon began to catch crayfish.
Soon he got as many crayfish as he could carry.
He ran back up the tree across the pond.
This time, Little Raccoon waved to the One sitting in the pond.
And he waved his hand in response.
Little Raccoon ran home as fast as he could, holding his crayfish tightly.
Yes! Never before had neither he nor his mother eaten such tasty crayfish. That's what Mama Raccoon said.
“Now I can go there all by myself whenever you want!” said Little Raccoon. “I am no longer afraid of the One who sits in the pond.
“I know,” said Mama Raccoon.
“He’s not bad at all, The one who sits in the pond!” said Little Raccoon.
“I know,” said Mama Raccoon. Little Raccoon looked at his mother.
“Tell me,” he said. “Who is that sitting in the pond?”
Mom Raccoon laughed.
And then she told him.
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!
Imagine - evening twilight, tightly drawn curtains and spectators frozen in anticipation of a miracle. Soon, near the most ordinary lamp, a magical performance will begin, woven from almost nothing. The shadow theater is a fascinating spectacle that children of all ages like, from one-year-olds to primary schoolchildren, who are happy to take part in the preparation of the performance and come up with their own fairy tales for the shadow performance.In order to watch a theatrical performance of light and shadow, it is not necessary to go to a real theater. All this can be arranged at home using improvised materials. Home shadow theater is an exciting and useful activity for the whole family. Everyone can participate in the preparation and holding of the performance, fantasy is in full swing, the plot is full of surprises, and the level of complexity of the scenery and figures depends on the interest of the kids and the time that everyone is ready to devote to this.
What is shadow theater?
Finger theater is the shadows that appear on the screen due to the different positions of the hands and the interlacing of the fingers of the "director". Most often these are images of well-known animals, but professionals can show human faces or some inanimate objects. It's great for fine motor skills and coordination.
Puppet theater is a performance using ready-made figures and scenery. The characters are cut out of cardboard, fixed on sticks and moved according to the action. Due to the fact that almost everything can be cut out of cardboard, the puppet theater of shadows is an endless field for the flight of children's imagination. 
What do you need for home shadow theater?
1. Light source - it can be a simple table lamp, a tourist flashlight and any other lamp with a directional light.
2. Screen - is a translucent white plane that can be made from different materials - tracing paper, a white thin sheet, ordinary Whatman paper or sheets of white paper fastened together in a joint. The frame for the screen can be a cut-out lid from any box, an artistic stretcher, a two-story children's bed - any design on which you can stretch the screen. can be made from an unfolded shoe box, pull a sheet over a bunk bed. A small "stage" is suitable for simple finger performances, and if you want to prepare a real puppet show, it is better to make a spacious large screen where the whole story will fit.
3. Sets and characters - choose what you want to start with. If you decide to try finger theater, practice with your child to fold their palms and fingers in such a way that “live” images of animals appear on the screen. A dog can bark, a crocodile can open its toothy mouth, a bunny can move its ears - whatever you think of. For the puppet theater, you will need thick cardboard, from which you will cut out the scenery and figures. 
Helpful Hints:
1. The screen must be placed between the audience and the lamp. The actors are between the lamp and the screen. Keep in mind that the lamp heats up and it is best not to touch the light source during the performance.
2. In order for the shadows to be clear, the light should fall directly, and not from the side, and the lamp should not be close, but two or three meters from the wall.
3. The light source should always be behind the screen and slightly to the side. Stand so that the shadow from your body almost does not fall on the screen, and the shadow from the hands is evenly clear.
4. It is better to paint cardboard figures with black paint, then they will be contrasting and noticeable on the screen.
5. The size of the shadows on the screen depends on the distance from the figurine to the light source. To make the figure smaller, bring it close to the screen. To make it grow in size - place it away. It is better to fasten the scenery close to the screen with adhesive tape or bent paper clips so that they do not move during the performance, and small directors will have an extra pair of hands.
6. If the kids like home theater, make a real curtain, tickets and programs. During the performance, you can arrange a real intermission with an impromptu buffet.
5. Start with a small number of characters - two or three is enough for the first time. With practice, you can easily move on to more complex settings.
6. To make the performance "coloured", use colored light bulbs or filters that can be attached to the lamp. For night scenes - a blue filter, for morning scenes - a red one, and so on.
7. The figurines can be made movable by wrapping arms, legs, wings and tails with soft wire. Instead of sticks that hold the characters, use regular drinking straws.
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