Recommended for elementary school students! A collection of classic play ideas that will excite upper graders too
Plays performed at elementary school arts festivals and graduation ceremonies are important events that leave lasting memories for children.
For a truly memorable stage, you’ll want to choose pieces that let each child’s individuality and growth shine.
Still, many teachers and parents may be worried that “the classics are too boring” or that “the scripts are too difficult.” In this article, we introduce enjoyable plays suitable for elementary school students.
By creating a wonderful production together with classmates, it’s sure to become a cherished memory.
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Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and Fables (21–30)
Hansel and GretelNEW!
The title “Hansel and Gretel” is the names of the brother and sister.
Abandoned in the forest by their parents, they wander and arrive at a house made of sweets.
An evil witch lives there and feeds Hansel to fatten him up to eat, but the siblings lock the witch in the oven and escape.
They are then reunited with their father, who regrets having abandoned them, and with the treasure they brought from the candy house, they gain a happy life free from hunger.
Although it contains the sad depiction of being abandoned to reduce the number of mouths to feed, it is a work that gives us courage through the siblings’ determination to live strongly, and the dreamlike candy house is truly captivating.
The Little MermaidNEW!
Disney’s The Little Mermaid is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.
Ariel, a mermaid princess who longs for the human world, one day falls in love with Prince Eric.
She is approached by Ursula, the sea witch, who offers her a deal to turn her into a human for three days, and Ariel signs the contract to go see Eric—but in truth, Ursula made the offer in order to get her hands on Ariel.
The Little Mermaid is so famous that anyone can easily imagine the story and empathize with it, making it highly recommended.
Since an important element is that Ariel has a beautiful singing voice, be sure to practice your songs well!
Japanese Folk TalesNEW!
There are many Japanese folktales, such as “Momotaro,” “Urashima Taro,” “The Grateful Crane,” and “Hanasaka Jiisan.” These are stories everyone knows well from being read to as children.
They’re approachable pieces that both kids and adults can enjoy.
Another appeal is that their simple plots make them easy to adapt.
If you incorporate humor into the performance, the audience may find themselves smiling at unexpected turns.
Since the stories are already familiar, I think even elementary school students will find them easy to perform.
The Old Man Who Made Flowers BloomNEW!
Fairy tales often feature a good old man and a bad old man.
This story, “Hanasaka Jiisan,” is one of them.
The honest old man cherished a stray dog he had found, named Pochi.
One day, Pochi dug into the ground and unearthed a great treasure.
Hearing this, a greedy old man dragged Pochi to his own field and ordered him to dig up treasure there… but all that turned up was trash.
Enraged, the greedy old man caused Pochi’s death.
It is a tale that portrays the love and bond between humans and animals, and a world where the honest old man finds happiness.
It is sure to warm the hearts of everyone who sees it.
Cinderella
It’s one of the most famous fairy tales, and to this day it has spawned numerous derivative works.
While the main storyline is set, it’s a piece that lends itself very well to adaptation—as you can tell from the sheer number of spin-offs—so with the right idea, you might be able to bring out strong originality!
Urashima Taro
Old folktales are back in the spotlight thanks to AU’s commercials, and one of the most iconic among them is surely Urashima Taro.
Everyone knows the plot: Urashima Taro rescues a turtle, is taken by it to the Dragon Palace where he enjoys a delightful time, and when he returns to his world, many years have passed and no one he knows remains.
He opens the forbidden treasure box and instantly turns into an old man.
Still, a play that blends fantasy with a moral is enjoyable no matter how many times you see it.
In conclusion
We introduced recommended themes for elementary school plays. From classic works for children to stories that even upper-grade students will find rewarding, a diverse world awaits. With casting and direction that make the most of your class’s unique character, let elementary schoolers fully express their rich sensibilities on stage. The experience of creating a single play together with friends is sure to become a timeless treasure.