Shadow
Puppets
Materials: black A4 card (270 gsm); paper clips; masking tape; scissors; pale coloured pencils; 30 cm garden sticks; overhead projector (or light source); curtain netting and poles (for basic screen) or blank wall.
1) Draw design using pale pencil onto black card. Ensure there are at least two parts to the puppet. Mark x where the two pieces should join (pivot point).
2) Cut out the design. For shapes within the puppet: cut from the edge, cut out the shape, seal edge with tape.
3) Link pairs of paper clips together. One pair is needed for each pivot point and for each puppet stick. Attach one of the paper clips securely to a pivot point. Check that the linked paper clip moves freely.
4) Attach the linked paper clip to the other pivot point. Check that both puppet pieces move freely.
5) Attach one paper clip pair to the end of a garden cane. Check that the linked paper clip moves freely. Attach the linked paper clip to a high point on the puppet so that the puppet moves freely under control.
6) Make a basic screen with curtain netting stretched between poles, or use a blank wall to project onto. Experiment with controlling the puppet.
Disclaimer: These instructions are freely available for any responsible adult to use in a craft session or classroom. Craft knives, staplers and all art materials are the sole responsibility of the craftworker / teacher. You are advised to practise any unfamiliar technique prior to using it with children. No liability can be accepted as a result of using these instructions.
Materials: black A4 card (270 gsm); paper clips; masking tape; scissors; pale coloured pencils; 30 cm garden sticks; overhead projector (or light source); curtain netting and poles (for basic screen) or blank wall.
1) Draw design using pale pencil onto black card. Ensure there are at least two parts to the puppet. Mark x where the two pieces should join (pivot point).
2) Cut out the design. For shapes within the puppet: cut from the edge, cut out the shape, seal edge with tape.
3) Link pairs of paper clips together. One pair is needed for each pivot point and for each puppet stick. Attach one of the paper clips securely to a pivot point. Check that the linked paper clip moves freely.
4) Attach the linked paper clip to the other pivot point. Check that both puppet pieces move freely.
5) Attach one paper clip pair to the end of a garden cane. Check that the linked paper clip moves freely. Attach the linked paper clip to a high point on the puppet so that the puppet moves freely under control.
6) Make a basic screen with curtain netting stretched between poles, or use a blank wall to project onto. Experiment with controlling the puppet.
Disclaimer: These instructions are freely available for any responsible adult to use in a craft session or classroom. Craft knives, staplers and all art materials are the sole responsibility of the craftworker / teacher. You are advised to practise any unfamiliar technique prior to using it with children. No liability can be accepted as a result of using these instructions.
