Easy DIY Paper Theater

If you enjoy upcycling and crafting then you are in for a real treat.

​And I do intend a pun since this super easy paper theater was crafted from a cardboard Snack Pack Pudding box. 

Let me show you how easy it was. 

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All posts and products promoted are done so in good faith. Read my full disclaimer here.

​Why use old product packages for craft projects?

Upcycling is not only a frugal activity, it's a way to truly spark creativity. And this style of crafting shows kids the magic in art and teaches them to make use out of what they have. 

​

What do you need?

• Snack Pack Family Pack Box 
• Craft Paints
• Paint Brushes
• Sharpie Marker
• Packing Tape
• Glue
• Printable Images
• Detail Craft Knife
• Popsicle Sticks
• Hot Glue

​

Yep, we're going to turn this empty food package, that was headed for the recycling bin, into a chic Victorian paper theater.

​

I started off by spray painting the cardboard box with Rust-Oleum Flat Protective Enamel in black. This is so much easier and faster than using craft paint and a brush, but those will also work. 

​

I painted gold stars all over the back and sides using a small brush and metallic craft paint, but I'm sure a metallic gold paint marker would be wonderful. 

I then painted the front of the theater, where the opening flap is, red. Then I used a black Sharpie marker to draw on the curtains. 

​

Next up, I cut out the background scenery.

This piece of art, titled The Seat of David Godfrey, was created by Charles Tomkins with ink and watercolor sometime between 1757-1823.

​I have sized it to fit the Snack Pack family pack box perfectly and it is available to download for free at the end of this post. 

​

I used an Elmer's Glue Stick just on the four corners to glue this background scenery to the inside of the box. I put a strip of clear packing tape on the flap and the bottom inside of the box for a little extra reinforcement. 

Then I painted the bottom of the flap green to match the grass in the scenery. I wasn't planning on doing this step, but I didn't really like seeing the shiny tape. And that was it for the theater!

Can you believe how easy that was?

​

Now what is a paper theater without any puppets?
​
​

I chose to put together a production of a family enjoying their estate in the summer. Each set, the children, the dogs, the parents in the elephant's howdah, and the toy props are all from different works of art.

All of these paper puppets are available to download for free at the end of this post.

​

I find that my Fiskar's detail knife is a tool that I could not live without as a creative mom. The process of cutting out all of these little puppets might have taken an hour, maybe even less.

I recommend starting on the inside of the howdah (the fancy box the parents are riding around in). This gives you more control as you cut this piece out. 

​

Then add a tiny bit of hot glue to the popsicle stick and press the paper puppet on.

​We glued ours so that most of the stick was above the puppet. This allows us to suspend them for a super cute show. 

Have fun!

​

Free Downloads

The boy and girl are from a painting titled Boy Holding a Hat and Girl Holding a Basket of Flowers, Standing in a Landscape by James Sharples and/or Ellen Sharples. Isn't that great :)​

Background Scenery
Parents on the Elephant
Children and Dogs
​Toy Props

You might also like...

Easy DIY Kids Headdress