Learning Center | Kaplan Early Learning Company

Halloween Paper Plate Puppet Theater | Kaplan Early Learning Company

Written by Staff Writer | Sep 17, 2021 4:00:00 AM

Halloween is just around the corner and what's scarier than ghosts, bats, and jack-o-lanterns? The scary fun you'll have when your Halloween favorites put on a performance! Create your own Halloween classroom spectacular with this kid-friendly, engaging, and easy Halloween Paper Plate Puppet Theater activity!

What is the Halloween Paper Plate Puppet Theater?

The Halloween Paper Plate Puppet Theater (besides being a fun thing to say) is a simple and fun activity that gives children the chance to express their creativity through dramatic play! Children will love creating and designing their own unique paper plate stages and showcasing their very own handmade, Halloween puppets as their actors. Telling a story with their new Halloween friends gives learners the opportunity to develop critical literacy and language skills and also supports their growing imaginations. Having their creations brought to life and seeing the fun adventures their new Halloween puppet pals will is the perfect way to engage children and encourage creative explorations through play. The possibilities for play are endless with this activity!

How Can I Use This In My Lesson Plan?

This activity presents itself as a great opportunity to teach children about the sights, sounds, colors, and fun activities associated with Halloween! Going even further, you can teach them about the concept of a play or theatrical production by using this activity as an example. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage students to imagine and create their own stories. Encourage them to act these out in your dramatic play area or share them with their families and friends at home all times of the year!

Download our FREE printable below!




Required Materials:

  • Black Marker
  • Scissors

1Assemble Your Stage

First, lay out your paper plate. Then squirt a little bit of your blue, purple/violet, and black paint onto the plate and spread it around with your paintbrush until you have a beautiful Halloween night sky! Then, while the paint is still wet, take your silver glitter and pour some onto one half of your plate. Then, pour your gold glitter (or tiny gold stars) onto the other end of the plate.

2Cast Your Actors

While you're waiting for your beautiful paper plate stage to dry, it's time to create your "frightening" actors! Take your construction paper and create any Halloween characters that you'd like. We recommend creating an orange jack-o-lantern, a purple bat, and a ghost. Once you've cast your actors, cut them out and glue them to the end of your jumbo popsicle sticks.

3Time for the Show!

Its call time for the actors! Take your paper plate stage and fold it in half. Cut a slit towards the bottom of the plate in order for you to stick the popsicle sticks through the plate. Now you can put on a scary good show with your Halloween paper plate puppet pals.

 

Fall into learning with fun seasonal activities and crafts! Browse our selection of classroom arts and crafts and related resources to support creative explorations with your children.