[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)
firewood splitting set
A handmade firewood set that’s perfect for both school plays and everyday play! Cut soft pool noodles to a suitable length and wrap them with cardboard about three times, securing with glue as you go.
Slice the piece in half vertically, then attach a paper with tree-ring patterns to the exposed pool noodle face.
For the cut ends of the logs, stick on thick paper with magnets attached and cover them with tape.
Finally, apply paper with a wood-grain pattern to the sides and cover the entire piece with a low-friction tape to finish the logs! You can also make an axe using a wrapping paper tube and cardboard—great for your school play.
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.
Ninja Scroll
A ninja scroll you can use for plays featuring ninjas or everyday pretend play! Cut copy paper lengthwise in half, connect the pieces horizontally to make a long sheet, and stick washi-pattern origami paper on the ends.
Attach a flat cord to the center of a straw to make a small part, glue that onto the origami section, then roll the end around to wrap it.
Glue an empty tube-shaped snack container to the opposite end, roll everything up, and tie the flat cord—your scroll is complete! It’s also great for treasure hunts: write the location of the hidden treasure inside.
Since you can write inside it, there are plenty of ways to use it beyond school plays.
[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.
flower decoration
A very cute head flower accessory with a big blossom.
Fold a paper plate several times, round off the edge with scissors, and open it to reveal a flower shape! Use a pen or similar tool to curl the petals inward, then layer flowers made in different sizes.
Thread twine through a hole in the center to secure them.
Roll up scraps of the paper plate to make a stamen and glue it in the middle to complete the flower part.
Cut a milk carton, punch two holes, and thread elastic through to make the base.
Attach the finished flower to the base, and you’re done!
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!