Over the years, I have reviewed many products, including toys. When I first started my blog, my kids were younger, so they served as my “co-reviewers” when it came to toys. Together, we reviewed a lot of great toys, and several that were not-so-great after all.
These days, when I review toys I donate them to the program where I work afterwards. Therefore I am always on the look out for fun toys for my “work kids,” who range in age from 5-12.
Finding toys that span a vast age range is easier said than done, but I know they are out there.
I was sent to review one of the coolest, most creative, AWESOME “toys” to review. I use the terms “toy” loosely. It’s fun and great for kids, providing them hours of imaginative play, but I don’t see it as an actual “toy.” If that makes any sense?
I received to review the Papaton Shadow Puppet Theater.
I remember making shadow puppets when I was a kid. I used to make birds, bunnies and wolves. Poor little bunny was always being eating by a wolf. Ha Ha.
Shadow puppets are certainly a low cost form of entertainment that you can do just about anywhere. All you need is a dark room, a wall and a source of light.
The Papaton Shadow Puppet Theater brings the world of shadow puppets to a whole new level.
The Papaton Shadow Puppet theater is a shadow puppet theater set which includes a special “stage,” shadow puppets and shadow puppet accessories. All you need if your smartphone.
This brief video by Papaton gives you a better idea of what the puppet theater is like.
“At the core of our shadow puppet theater,” explains Papaton Kids Founder & Creative Director Anton Ten, “lies the idea of healthy ways of using technology. In our products, a phone helps kids in their active game, creating additional atmosphere, but not replacing it. Technology is part of our world and kids growing up with access to technology in a healthy way is something we believe to be a good thing. Our mission is to help parents realize that technology is not at all bad for a child if it’s used wisely.”
I knew this product would be interesting, but honestly, I didn’t expect it to be as incredible as it is.
The screen/theater piece is very sturdy. It stays up and open with no problem at all. Even the screen looks and feels like a good quality. It’s not flimsy at all. I would caution that you don’t let children try and punch it or poke anything at it because it could easily rip, and you wouldn’t wan that to happen.
I was expecting the “puppets” and accessories to be made of paper, like cardstock. They are not. They are made with a plastic-like material, which makes them a lot sturdier and longer lasting than cardstock.
I love that there are accessories too, such as beds, trees and doors. They really help to bring the story to life. The accessories come with pieces you can use to help them stand on their own.
You should use your smartphone to play with this theater, but I’m sure you can enjoy it just as much simply by using a bright flashlight.
This set comes with a stand for your smartphone. There is a good reason why (I’ll explain that in a moment). I had to play around with the position of the phone to make sure the screen was lit up correctly so that you could see the puppets the way they should be. The same goes with the accessories. I had to play around with their placement until I figured out the best distance from the screen (too close makes the accessories larger than they should be).
There is a free app that you can download to use with the Papaton Shadow Theater.
On the app you’ll see different story options.
- Little Red Riding Hood
- The Lion and the Mouse
- The Tree Little Pigs
- The Tortoise and the Hare
- Once Upon a Time Story
These stories come with the main set. There are expansion sets you can also purchase.
- The Nutcracker
- Little Monsters
To use the app along with the theater, simply select which story you want to act out. The app will then tell you which puppets and accessories you need to act it out.
Make sure your phone is on the included phone stand (easy to set up – just three pieces that slide into each other). The back of your phone (not the screen side) should be facing the back of the theater screen.
When you are ready, click the “Begin Performance” button and your smartphone’s light will turn on.
The app will proceed to scroll the story text for you (or your child) to reach, as well as show you which puppets and accessories to use for each scene.
The coolest thing about this app is that is plays music and sound effects to go along with the puppet show.
I was especially THRILLED when I used the Nutcracker puppet set and turned the story on the app and heard MUSIC from the Nutcracker Suit. WOW!!! What a pleasant surprise. I LOVE the music from the Nutcracker. I used to have the album back in the day when there were albums and CDs.
Whomever thought about this theater set is GENIUS!
I’m excited to see what other stories and sets Papaton Shadow Theater releases in the future.
This is a wonderful “toy” that can grow with your child. It’s also a super fun family bonding experience. I’m sure many kids will have fond memories of the times their families put on puppet shows using this set.
Everything fits nicely back in the box for safe storage. Even the puppets and accessories have their own boxes for safe keeping.
You also don’t need to use the app. Your child is free to put on any puppet show they want and create their own stories. This is the ULTIMATE imagination creator. If I was a child, I could see myself playing with this for HOURS.
As I mentioned at the start of this post, I donate “toys” I receive to review to the program I am the site director for. Not in this case. I’m actually going to keep this set. I will bring it in from time to time, perhaps for “special performances.” Take for example the Nutcracker. We’re going to have a hot chocolate party instead of a Christmas party, and watch a Christmas movie. I think we might just have a performance of the Nutcracker as well, and maybe another fairy tale (or two).
Hands down, this is probably one of my favorite children’s product I have received to review since I started back in 2008.
If you are interested in learning more, visit PapatonKids.com. You can also check them out on social media. Their links are on the bottom of their website.
The Papaton Shadow Puppet Theater is also available on Amazon (this is a non-affiliate link).
This would make a GREAT gift this holiday season.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own (unless otherwise noted) and not influenced in any way.