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Will
Hi, Thanks for visiting my website. My name is Will and if you have questions
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contribute projects or ideas you can contact me Will

Make a Shadow Theatre

This is a fun and easy project that will give you lots of hours of entertainment. This is because once it is made you then have a theatre that you can put on shows with. Create paper and cardboard cutouts and use them in the theatre.

The light in this theatre is a flashlight.

 

 

 

Quick overview:

Materials Needed for this project:

  • 1 box, at least 12 inches in size. The bigger the better
  • Flashlight or lamp to cast the light and create shadows
  • 1 sheet of printer paper
  • baby oil
  • tools: something to cut cardboard with, tape of any kind.
  • Extra: you will want to create some figures for your shadow theatre and you can use anything including paper, construction paper or cereal box cardboard.

Bonus ideas with this project:

You can create figures and stories then tell the stories with the theatre. Some ideas include:

  • An underwater adventure with fish, mermaids, submarines and divers.
  • Or how about a Romeo and Juliet story with included tower.
  • A windmill and knight
  • Astronauts and a space ship

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You just need a good sized box. I recommend something at least 12 inches in width. A sheet of paper is used for the theatre screen and to make it semi-transparent we apply some baby oil to it.

You can fix objects inside the box or tape objects to the ends of straws so you can move them around and put on a show.

The front screen of the theatre is semi-transparent. This will take the light and the shadows very well. We create this by taking a normal sheet of printer paper then wiping baby oil on it. Just like magic it will transform the paper.

 

Measure and cut out the front of the theatre. Make this opening a little bit smaller than your sheet of printer paper.

 

Once you have oiled the sheet of paper and dried it off with paper towels you can tape it into the box right over the theatre opening.

 

Finish off the project by cutting out a large opening in the back of the box - pretty much the whole back. And cut away the top flap nearest the back like you see here.

Now you can set up a flashlight or lamp as your light source.

Now have some fun drawing up figures, buildings, characters and whatever your imagination brings! Cut them out and put them inside the box so they cast shadows on the screen.

 

You can tape your objects so they stand up in the box and you can tape them to straws or barbecue sticks so you can move them around on the screen.

 

 

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Viking Axe

Make a strong Viking axe out of foamboard or cardboard

This is a fun and easy project. And you can handle it a lot because it is durable. I also show you a new technique for making the bevel on bladed weapons. How to Make a Viking

 

Some of the tools Will uses


Will's favorite Pencil: The Palomino Blackwing 602

 

 

 

 

X-acto designer series knife #1 blade (This is Will's favorite X-acto knife) I love this xacto knife for a couple of reasons. First off it feels really good in the hand. It has some width and shape to it rather than the typical thin pencil like shape of most handles. Secondly the blade is tightened by the back end of the handle. It's all very comfortable to use and to change blades.

 

Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish (16-Ounce), CS11302 Matte Finish

Mod Podge dries clear in approximately 15-20 minutes and can be sanded to a smooth finish. Apply with brush or sponge applicator. Close container after each use. Clean up with water while wet. Once dry, Mod Podge cannot be removed. Use as a puzzle saver, a sealer glue, a quick finish, a textured finish,or a build-up finish." Non-toxic.