Endangered Species Shadow Puppets
We love shadow puppets. We used them in our play The Edge of the Earth. And shadow puppets can be super easy to make and super fun to play with, even with your littlest ones!
To make a basic shadow puppet, all you need is: paper, scissors, a craft stick (even an unsharpened pencil works), tape and a flashlight (your phone’s flashlight is perfect!). We’ve made three templates for you to print or trace to make your own shadow puppet.
We’ve chosen these three endangered animals: Sumatran Orangutan, Asian Elephant and Sea Otter to make into shadow puppets. This is an excellent opportunity for you and your child to learn more about these animal, what is threatening their populations and how to help. But don’t let us stop you! Choose whatever animal you and your child are interested in and make a puppet.
This is also a great way to engage in creative play with your child. Once you’ve made your shadow puppet, try creating stories about them using your puppets. Spend some time playing together. Bringing your child’s awareness to these animals, helps pave the way for more compassion towards all Earth’s inhabitants.
By shining a light on these endangered species, their stories can be heard.
Updated March 2022: We’ve included another endangered species, the polar bear, in honor of ESI Founder’s upcoming residency in the Arctic. Click the button below for the polar bear shadow puppet template.
