Puppet Playhouse Theater by Manhattan Toy

Puppetry is an ancient art, with its own language and rules. We find the rules for realism in puppetry particularly interesting: for instance, in order to make a puppet appear alive, they should never be completely still when they’re not speaking. Small motions like fidgeting and looking around make a puppet look more “real,” enhancing the audience’s suspension of disbelief.

Of course, all the rules go out the window when kids are putting on a puppet show: it’s all about imagination and fun, and who cares about realism? The Puppet Playhouse Theater from Manhattan Toy provides the stage – it’s up to your kid to provide the story, any story! This puppet play theater is a big, sturdy nylon tent that can double as a play tent, and has room for two little puppeteers (or one big one). It provides a festive cover for the puppeteers so the audience can only see the “performers.”

Putting on a puppet show improves a child’s communication skills and teaches them how to express narrative, whether they tell familiar stories or make up their own. It also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving: how do you depict a puppet performing an action above your head? How should the puppet’s mouth move in order to make it appear to speak? But most of all, puppetry is a fun way to experiment with role play – and it’s a great excuse to try out some funny voices.

The Manhattan Toy Puppet Playhouse Theater is 59” tall and 48” in diameter, with tie-back curtains for the front. Adult assembly required. Suitable for ages 3 and up.