Have Your Kids Put on a Holiday Show

If you’re looking for a fun family activity this holiday season, consider
letting your children put on a holiday show.  Your kids will love the idea
of writing, directing, and acting out their own play for their parents and
grandparents. Let your kids handle the entire process – choosing who
will write, direct, and play which part. Then watch them go!

Step 1: Assignments

The kids need to have a meeting to decide who will be the director (in charge of the whole operation), who will write the story (this can be a team effort), and who will play each part.

Step 2: Writing the Play

The writers need to come up with an idea and then write it down or convey it to the others. The “script” needs to have very simple lines to memorize or read.

Step 3: Costumes

Tell the kids what they can use (parents’ clothes, towels and sheets, costume jewelry, makeup, etc.) – just be sure to let them know what’s off limits!

Step 4: Rehearsing

Under the “director’s” guidance, they’ll need to rehearse the play. You might let the “director” know that being patient with younger siblings is part of the job.

Step 5: Music

The kids can choose from CDs or tapes, or have music from the TV in the background; or they can sing songs themselves.

Step 6: Invitations

When the show is ready to “open,” the kids should check with you to see what day and time will work for everyone. Then they can make and hand out invitations to Opening Night.

Step 7: There’s no Business like Show Business

Time to put on the play! Sit back and enjoy your children’s natural creativity and joy. (You might want to give them a nice standing ovation after they’ve finished.)