Shadow puppets often are thought of as a form of entertainment for small children, and most adults would laugh at the thought being content watching a shadow puppet show. Shadow puppets are some of the most basic forms of entertainment, but most people don't realize is that with a creative mind, a pair of hands, and a bit of practice, you can actually put on a performance that'll shock even an adult audience.
Instructions
1. Form basic shadow puppets. A bunny's head is made by extending your thumb like you're going to grab something, then pinching all but two fingers into your thumb. Extend the two remaining fingers up to form the rabbits ears.
Form a flying bird by crossing your wrists so that the fingers of your left hand appear on the right side, and fingers from your right hand appear on your left. Keep your arms out of the light, and flap your fingers up and down to mimic a bird in flight. Finish this step by moving your hands close enough to the light to blacken what the crowd will be seeing.
2. Perform advanced shadow puppets. Make a small child's hand and an parent playing with him by moving one hand further away from the light source so that it will appear smaller on your back drop. Leave your other hand close to the back drop so it appears obviously bigger than the first.
Form a swan by placing one arm, from your elbow up, into the light. Your elbow to your hand will form the swans neck and head. Fan your fingers out to look like a beak and well-rounded head. Set your other hand on the inside of your elbow with your fingers closed and point in the opposite direction of the head to form the swan's tail.
3. Form a human head using both hands. Fold your first hand like you're going to make a rabbit, but leave the ears down. Instead of pinching your finger tips together, bend your thumb in half and fold your fingers to follow your thumb so that you have formed a small box. This box will represent the top of the head. Place your other hand under the first with your thumb hidden behind the box with your entire hand unfolded as if you were going to shake hands with someone. Fold all your fingers in so that only the first digits of each finger are showing.
