With the holidays coming up, I admit that I am starting to panic a little bit. There are all of those Christmas gifts to purchase, and frankly, our finances haven’t fully recovered from a series of household expenses that we have had over the spring and summer.
So, whenever I can brainstorm for fun but free or thrifty holiday gifts, it is a good thing. Here is an idea that pretty much anyone can use as a gift for young children. While you do have to make it yourself, you will find that you can pretty much get all of the materials for free, with maybe the exception of paint or a couple of craft supplies if you don’t already have them.
So let us go ahead and make a puppet playhouse, along with puppets.
The first thing you will need to construct is the playhouse itself. It will consist of a stage area with a curtain and a back door. You can also include a workable clock face, so your performers can let you know exactly when the next show is scheduled to begin. You might also want to include a sign that announces what the show will be about. You can make this as simple or as detailed as you like.
For the main part of the playhouse you will need to get a hold of an appliance box. This is pretty easy. Simply stop by a local appliance shop or even a store like Sears and ask them for a box. You can also be on the lookout for a good size box that is left on the curb after someone upgrades their appliances.
Once you have the box, you’ll want to make the cut outs in it. Cut a window halfway up for the stage. Cut a door in the opposite side, so your performers can enter and exit. You can also just remove the entire back side for easier access, although most kids seem to like the idea of the door.
Check back for the next post and Part 2!
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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