If your child is a huge fan of the Nutcracker ballet (or you’re looking for a cool Nutcracker activity), you’ll want to check out this Nutcracker Craft Ballet Stage Kit. Keep scrolling for the directions and free Nutcracker printables!
This Nutcracker Craft Tutorial and Nutcracker printables was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
We live in Seattle and there are so many awesome Christmas events and winter traditions to do here in the city.
From outdoor ice skating rinks and Santa breakfasts, to gingerbread villages and massive Christmas light shows, Seattle has it all!
I think the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle has an awesome Nutcracker ballet for kids. It’s the George Ballanchine’s version and all the scenery and costumes were designed by Ian Falconer (who illustrates the Olivia books!)
In anticipation for the ballet, I thought I’d share this cool Nutcracker activity to do with kids at home.
They can play with this Nutcracker puppet theater during the show or it can be a fun way to reminisce about the show afterward.
Is The Nutcracker For Kids?
We think so! Although, it depends on the age of your kids.
I remember feeling really scared at certain parts when I saw it growing up. It was the Maurice Sendak version and even the Nutcracker himself was scary looking.
But, there are SO many different versions of the Nutcracker. And you can even see versions put on by kids at local ballet schools.
The Nutcracker Story for Kids
Before seeing the ballet or embarking on this Nutcracker activity, it’s super helpful if kids are already familiar with the story.
There are tons of Nutcracker books for kids, like this Nutcracker board book or this one by the New York City Ballet.
There are even some exceptional ones like The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker, where you can listen to the music!
Or this pop up Nutcracker book where the scenes jump out at you!
There are also several kids TV shows that feature episodes about the Nutcracker and there’s even a Barbie movie!
Nutcracker Music
I think the Nutcracker has some of the most recognizable classical music out there. They are the kinds of pieces that you’ll find yourself passionately humming at the strangest times.
It might be cool to listen to the Nutcracker soundtrack while you work on this Nutcracker craft, or play it when your kids are using their Nutcracker puppet theater for authenticity.
The Nutcracker Craft: Ballet Stage Kit
Materials Needed:
- 7 sheets of card stock paper
- color printer
- glue
- scissors
- popsicle sticks or straws
- Nutcracker Printables
Directions:
- Print all sheets of this Nutcracker printable using color ink.
- Cut out front stage and the inside part of the stage. (Be sure to cut off all extra white at bottoms of all pieces.)
- Fold the tabs along dotted lines.
- Cut out the sides of the stage front and bottom. Fold tab on the bottom piece along dotted lines.
- Glue sides and bottom the the front part of stage, using the tabs.
- Cut out back of stage and fold tabs along dotted lines.
- Glue back sides and bottom piece to the stage back.
- You should have two main components of the stage now.
- Position the front stage onto the back stage. Make sure front sides end up on the outside of stage.
- Glue at bottom and sides thoroughly to make sure your stage is sturdy.
- Cut out dancers leaving white space around each, as desired.
- Using craft glue, stick the dancers on the end of popsicle stick or straws. Allow bottom part of dancer to hang free.
- Cut out both stage scene backgrounds
- Guide the backgrounds into stage box, hanging them using the cut out slots.
Voila! Your Nutcracker craft puppet theater is now complete!
