Fun Theater Activities for Kids

Storyboard
Staple flannel fabric to the back of a bookcase or another movable, solid-backed piece of furniture. Make story characters out of felt material that will adhere to the flannel. Collect your felt pieces in a box for storage. This storyboard can be used for many projects in which felt pieces can be made (shapes, numbers, letters).

Puppet Stage
Use an empty facial tissue box as a puppet stage. Place the box on its side, and use the oval area as the "stage." Cut the bottom out of the box for the child's hand. He can use finger puppets or stick puppets (made using large craft sticks) to act out his favorite story.

Games

Musical Hats
This game is like musical chairs, except that a different hat, prop, or mask is placed on each chair. When the music stops, players grab whatever is on their chair, and sit down. Then, taking turns, they pretend to be the character that would wear the hat or mask, or use the prop. Your children can make the hats, props, and masks prior to this game or raid the Halloween costume box!

Oh Up, Oh Down!
Raise your hands high above your head and say "Oh up." Children do the same. Then crouch down to the floor and say, "Oh down." Everyone follows suit. Then say, "When we come up let's be ... " (Cinderella at the ball, Hansel or Gretel lost in the forest, a witch looking in a mirror, etc.). To start a new action, raise your hands and begin again.

Funny Fairy Tales
Choose a fairy tale and act it out. You may change the story to make it funny, update it, or give it a surprise ending. Good fairy tales for this activity include: Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Pigs, Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Sleeping Beauty.

Who Am I?
Tape a sign with the name of a different storybook character written on each to every player's back. The players walk around asking "yes or no" questions to try to figure out what character they are.

Charades
Pantomime animals, places, and titles of books. Everyone tries to guess who or what you are acting out.