The castle theme always seems to invite children to tell the best stories. Add a little science and eco crafting in and you have a Magnetic Cereal Box Castle Theater!
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Magnetic Cereal Box Castle Theater
What story will your child tell? This activity invites storytelling. Storytelling is an important part of literacy and learning to read. When children create their own stories, they are coming up with a plot and experimenting with the story line. A good story will have a beginning, middle, and end. It will often have a problem or villain in it too. See what story this castle activity will bring to your learning day….
“The younger sister is trapped in the castle. Her older brother, the prince, will use his magic shoes to help her down. Alas, she is trapped and won’t budge. The big sister suggests that maybe she enjoys being in the tower too much…”
A Science & Literacy Activity for Kids
This activity combines your child’s creativity, storytelling and science.
Use magnets with care: Please use caution and common sense when working with magnets. They may be used as a learning tool for older children under direct adult supervision. When not in use, always keep magnets out of reach of children. Do not place magnets near electronic devices. If a magnet is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately. Non magnetic activity alternatives will be provided in the activity directions below.
Learning Objectives:
- The child will create a theater using recycles materials.
- The child will identify the properties of magnets and demonstrate use.
- They will then orally tell a story with the story telling props: puppets and theater.
Materials Needed for Magnetic Cereal Box Castle Theater
- 1 cardboard cereal box
- Pencil
- Markers
- Scissors
- Round Magnets with Self-Adhesive Back
- Tape
(if you are using regular magnets) - Magnetic Wand
(if you are using regular magnets)
Directions to Make the Magnetic Cereal Box Castle Theater
1. The adult prepares the box by cutting the top and one large side off. Reinforce with tape if necessary. Cut the just removed large side into 3 pieces to create the puppets.
2. Hand your child the theater (3 sided box) and 3 pieces. Encourage them to create a castle backdrop on the box and the characters for their story:
Possible Castle Characters to consider:
- prince
- princess
- king
- queen
- court jester
- knight
- squire
- watchman
- chaplain
- cook
3. As they complete their drawings, the adult cuts the characters out leaving a small rectangle uncut underneath. Also cut the castle outline.
4. Have your child color their characters and begin to think about their stories.
5. Review the properties of magnets and discuss safety. Allow the child to experiment with how the magnets work.
6. Bend the rectangle back and stick or tape the circle magnet to each character.
7. Set the puppets in the box and use the magnetic wand to make them move. Put on a performance and tell a story.
More Hands-On Castle Themed Learning Activities from the #PLAYfulPreschool team!
Castle Reading Nook by Growing Book by Book
Battlement Skip Counting by Rainy Day Mum
Castle Catapult Math Game by Mom Inspired Life
Magnetic Cereal Box Castle Theater by The Educators’ Spin On It
Graham Cracker Castles-Preschool Engineering by Capri + 3
Sand Castle Puffy Paintings by Still Playing School
Color Sorting Castle for Preschoolers by Life Over C’s
Fantastic – T loves theatre's at the moment she keeps creating them around the house so this would be perfect. Off to find some magnets.
I love the added element of the magnets into the puppet theater!
I love the character drawings but the magnets are the best part! Brilliant!
I love that you used magnets! That is such a smart idea.
We have similar magnetic wands. Now we have a new way to use them! I anxious to try this out. So fun!
Oh my goodness I love this!! We totally have those magnet wands, my kids would love this!