Shadow puppet animal cards for 9-year-olds

Who this list is for

This shadow puppet animal card list is for a nine-year-old making six animal shadow puppets for storytelling. It covers the puppets and their storage, not a shadow theater.

How to use this list

Lay the animal silhouette template printouts over the six black heavyweight cardstock sheets and trace with the white chalk pencil. Cut the silhouettes with child-safe scissors, then glue one jumbo wooden craft stick to each puppet. Reinforce loose stick edges with clear tape if needed. Use the fine-tip white paint pen for small details, label the small manila envelope with the white address label, and store the finished puppets inside.

Common mistakes

Do not trace animal shapes with a dark marker on black cardstock; the white chalk pencil is included so the cutting lines can be seen. Keep glue away from the puppet edges, where it can make thin shapes bend. Avoid making all six puppets from one cardstock sheet; each black heavyweight sheet is assigned to a puppet.

What is on this list

For the six-puppet set, you need six black heavyweight cardstock sheets, one set of animal silhouette template printouts, six jumbo wooden craft sticks, two glue sticks, one white chalk pencil, child-safe scissors, one small manila envelope, one white address label, one fine-tip white paint pen, and clear tape. Cross off supplies already owned.

When you are done

Place the animal puppets flat in the labeled envelope so the cardstock stays protected. Check each craft stick before storytelling to make sure it is firmly attached.