[Childcare] Ideas for props for a school play. Easy ways to make them.
At many kindergartens and nursery schools, children often put on plays or dances for recital days and performance showcases.
These events are valuable opportunities for parents and guardians to see how hard the children have worked and how much they’ve grown.
We want to keep spirits high and make sure everyone has fun while participating.
So this time, we’re sharing prop ideas you can use for such recitals.
From hats and masks the children can wear to chairs, drums, and pom-poms, we’ve got plenty of ideas to make your program even more vibrant and exciting!
If you make the props together with the children, their imaginations will expand and the fun is sure to double!
Be sure to give these ideas a try!
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[Childcare] Ideas for props for a recital. Easy ways to make them (1–10)
Animal Drum
An animal drum that makes a pom-pom sound when you tap the animal’s tummy—perfect for class performances and ensembles! Cover the sides of an empty tissue box with construction paper, then attach parts like the animal’s face, tail, and belly.
Add a ribbon with duct tape so it can hang from the neck, and your drum is complete! For the drumsticks, simply attach a ball of paper clay to the end of a pair of disposable chopsticks.
Not only is it great for showcasing a performance with drums worn around the neck at a recital, but it’s also perfect for everyday rhythm play!
pom-pom
Pom-poms are a must-have item for school plays and sports festivals, making children’s movements look bigger and more energetic! Wrap two colors of shiny metallic tape around a rectangular piece of thick paper 12 times, then cut the end with scissors.
Prepare an elastic band for the handle.
Use a zip tie to fasten the wrapped metallic tape together with the elastic, accordion-fold the tape, tighten the zip tie firmly, and tie the elastic into a loop.
Cut both ends of the metallic tape, then spread it out into a round shape while adding a slight twist.
Your sparkling, glamorous pom-pom is complete!
magic wand
You can make a magic wand that lets you feel like a real wizard using just a sink strainer net! Stack several pieces of the net cut to a suitable size and tie the center with string.
Make two of these, then sandwich the tip of a wand made by rolling up paper between them and glue it together—that’s your magic wand done! If you want a sturdier version, we recommend using a plastic or stainless-steel rod for the shaft.
Add ribbons or gem-like decorations as you like to make it look even more like a wizard’s tool.
[Childcare] Props ideas for a school play. Easy ways to make them (11–20)
Sword/Blade
Cardboard transforms into a cool dagger! Place the template on the cardboard and cut out the parts.
Cut the blade tip with a curve, then glue one piece sandwiched between the folded parts to complete the blade component.
Finally, fold and assemble the scabbard parts, wrap them with vinyl tape or similar for decoration, and you’re done! Because the cardboard is folded and layered to increase strength, it should be less likely to break even when used for practice in a school play.
It might be fun to change the length and try making different kinds of swords, too.
Angel’s wings
The materials for angel wings you wear on your back are, believe it or not, a hanger and socks! Cut off the hooked part of a wire hanger with nippers, then slip white socks—trimmed to an appropriate length—over the hanger.
Wrap tape around it to secure it firmly, shape it, and make another identical piece.
Tape the two together, attach an elastic band in the center for your arms to go through, and the wing base is done! After that, simply glue small, cut-out feather pieces one by one onto the sock-covered base, and you’ll have a soft, fluffy pair of angel wings.
car
It’s a cardboard car that you pull with a string! Prepare a cardboard box big enough for children to sit in, and secure it firmly with tape so the bottom doesn’t give way.
Cover the edges with vinyl tape, attach construction paper to the sides, and add or draw parts like headlights to finish the car.
Punch two holes in the front, thread a pulling string through, and the car prop is complete! With this, scenes where you ride in a car and move around in style will be perfect.
Everyone will probably want to take a ride!
hat
Handcraft a cool hat like a magician’s costume using construction paper! Draw a circle on construction paper to match your child’s head size, then draw a slightly larger circle around it for the brim and cut it out.
Also cut out the inner circle.
Next, roll a piece of thick paper into a cylinder and glue it closed.
Make cuts along the edge; open the tabs on the top side inward and the tabs on the bottom side outward.
Glue the pre-cut brim and the head-size circle to the top and bottom of the cylinder, and cover the side with construction paper to finish.
Add a red ribbon or other accent for a stylish touch!