Dressing up in costumes is just one of the fun activities that children will enjoy about theatre.
Children obtain numerous benefits by being involved with the performing arts. In addition to developing creative problem solving skills, public speaking skills and bolstering their self-esteem, kids learn teamwork, self-control and discipline. Children also learn tolerance and empathy towards others by acting out different roles in theater. Whether you are a teacher, a coach or a parent, engaging kids in theater activities will encourage their love and appreciation for theater.
Nursery Rhyme Charades
Nursery rhyme charades is a theater activity for kids from preschool age and up that gets them involved in theater through things they already know. Stand in a circle with your kids and have one act out one of their favorite nursery rhymes, while you and the other children guess the rhyme. If you are working with very young children, you will need to carefully guide the pantomime and guessing. For older kids, consider modifying nursery rhymes to songs.
Mirrors
This activity requires kids to choose a partner. One child leads and the other acts as a mirror, trying to mimic the actions of the leader. Mirrors help to develop concentration skills and promote a bond between the kids. It also teaches observation skills which are not only valuable in theater, but in everyday life. If you prefer a group session of mirrors, modify the game by having one child stand in the middle of a circle while the others mirror his actions.
Puppets
Puppet theater activities for kids give them the opportunity express their creativity through the characters of the puppets they create. Additionally, they may practice different voices and accents with their puppets. Puppets also serve as an activity to involve kids that may be shy standing in front of a group. This activity can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose. You can teach kids to make simple animal or shadow puppets with their hands. For more elaborate puppets, kids can make sock puppets or puppets from brown paper lunch bags. They can decorate their puppets with buttons, strings, markers and crayons.
Masks
Constructing masks is an activity that will teach kids about theater from other cultures. Some Native Americans, the Japanese and Greeks are all known for their types of masked-theater. Additionally, kids are forced to use their voice and bodies to express themselves instead of their faces. Simple masks can be made with card stock, elastic, scissors and markers or crayons. Once masks are constructed, give the kids a scenario to act out, such as people in a loud argument or opposing fans at a sporting event.
Freeze
Freeze is an improvisation activity used for warming-up. Improv activities hone the skills of kids who are already comfortable on stage by forcing them to think quickly to act out a scene without any preparation. Two kids begin improvising a scene. After the scene, characters and situation are established, another child yells "Freeze!" At this time, the actors must come to a complete stop. The person that calls "Freeze!" then takes the place of one of the actors. The new duo begins to improvise a completely new scene and the cycle continues.
