Puppet Skit FAQ's

I found a puppet skit I'd like to buy but don't know how to get started.  What do I do first?

When you have found an item you would like to purchase, click on the Add to Cart link or the Cart symbol   associated with the item. The item will be added to your Shopping Cart and your Shopping Cart will be displayed. Then click on either the  Purchase by Credit Card button or the Purchase by Mail button and follow the instructions.

How do I receive/download my puppet skit after I've purchased it?

All skits are downloaded online and can be download within minutes of purchase if using a credit card.

The fastest way to find a skit on a particular topic is to do a "search" on that subject.  The "Search" button is found at the top right corner of each page, underneath the picture of the shopping cart.  

Simply type in the word of the topic you are looking for (ex. love, joy, Peter, Christmas etc.) and hit the "Search Skits" button.  A list of matches for your word will be displayed.  The word will be in bold and underlined. For example, if you type in the word "Ruth" the following will appear:

The search will display the title of the skit and tell you what kind of skit it is, whether a drama skit, puppet skit, narrative, monologue etc.  It will then either display the word in the Theme (key words that describe the skit); in the Summary or the Excerpt (a sample).  The word you searched on will be surrounded by several other words so you can see the context in which the word was used. 

To see if a skit fits the criteria you are looking for, simply click on the title of the skit (on the first line) to view a detailed summary and the full excerpt.  (In the above example, you would click on "Loyal Friends" in bright blue.)

These are a list of categories we have put together to group skits with an overall common theme that can be seen at a quick glance.  For instance, if you click on the main category "Children" all the skits pertaining to that category will be displayed. 

What if I don't know what category my topic is listed under?

Simply type in your topic in the "Search Skits" area (top right corner of any web page) and a list of matches for your word/topic will be displayed.  (See example to the left for full instructions on searches.)

Once you buy a skit you are free to make as many copies as you need.  However, please only distribute the copies within your own group or organization.  You have permission to copy the skit for your own needs, but you may not sell or give the skit away to anyone else.  

If you'd like to change or edit a skit, feel free to do so, however, please retain the information listed at the bottom of each skit, including my name and website.  If you do change large portions of the skit's content, include something like "Based on an original script by Rayeann Longwell, from www.skitsandstuff.com" or "based on an idea from Rayeann Longwell at www.skitsandstuff.com," at the bottom of your page. You may not sell the changed scripts without violating copyright laws.

Usually skits that are part of a set build upon each other from week to week and purchasing one without the context of the others will not make sense to the audience.  

Yes, in some cases where the skits may be part of a central theme but that don't necessarily build on one another.  The sets/series will indicate whether or not one skit can be purchased separately or must be purchased as a complete set.

Puppets are a great way to introduce stories to children because the characters can be very "animated" and can possess capabilities that human actors can't.  Puppets are very versatile. Also, puppets seem to relate to children on "their" level, and can be entertaining as well as informative.  

Using puppets instead of actors can also make your program easier, since scripts can be taped to the puppet stage and actors can read the skit instead of having to memorize lengthy lines.   It is often easier to recruit puppeteers instead of "on-stage" actors for this reason.  

Puppeteers can also be more flexible, since anyone can fill in when needed, due to sickness or other necessary absence. Using puppets also allows people who might be more hesitant to appear in front of an audience, the opportunity to hide behind a man-made stage.

What if I don't want to use puppets in my program?

If using puppets does not fit within your program,  you can still use our children's curriculum since the puppets are not necessary in order to teach the lesson. The puppet skits in our material are used as an introduction to the lesson being taught that day--they do not actually teach the material being covered, so the lessons and activities used with our curriculum can be taught with or without the puppets.  The only exception to this may be the "Time to Believe" VBS curriculum, since the puppets are used to tell the entire Bible story. However, real people could be used in place of puppets. 

Can I use real people instead of puppets?

Absolutely!  Anyone can stand in for a puppet as long as he or she can read!

Skits vary in length but in general run from 3-5 minutes.  Anything longer than that and you will find your arm burning from fatigue!

Yes it does and if you plan on using that particular VBS, we would recommend getting your arm in shape before attempting to perform that series of puppet skits. 

(You can get your arm in shape by practicing with the puppets every day by holding up your arm and making the mouth move. Or by holding up your hand with a rubber band around your fingers to simulate the mouth movement of the puppet.)

The hardest part about working a puppet is the ability to hold your arm up and move the mouth for an extended period of time. It's a lot harder than it looks and if you're arm isn't in shape you will become discouraged quickly.  

We would recommend practicing with the puppet every day by holding up your arm and making the mouth move.  Or you can hold up your hand with a rubber band around your fingers and make your fingers move, to simulate the mouth movement of the puppet. Doing these exercises every day for 5 minutes will help get the puppeteering muscles into shape.

No. We try to keep things simple, generally things you can easily find within your own home.  How simple or elaborate you get with the props and costumes is up to you. 

Not unless you want to.  The setting of each skit will give you an idea of the overall look and feel of the skit but how simple or elaborate you choose to get with the scenery, stage, costumes, props etc. is completely up to you. 

Do you sell any kind of CD's with recorded voices for the puppet characters already on them?

At this time, no I don't.  I've considered it as an option for the future but at this time I don't possess the equipment for that kind of capability.

Do you sell puppets?

At this time, no I don't.

Where can I find puppets?

There are many places to find puppets using the web. Just do a search on puppets and a long list will come up.  Here are a few (click on the links below to go directly to their home pages):

One Way Street Puppets
http://www.onewaystreet.com/category/puppetry

The Puppet Store
www.thepuppetstore.com

The Puppet People
www.thepuppetpeople.com

Pre-made stages are expensive. How can I make my own?

There are many places to find puppets stages using the web. If buying one doesn't fit your budget, do a search on "puppet stage building plans" and a long list will come up.  Here are a couple (click on the links below to go directly to their home pages):

Kids 4 God
http://kids4god.tripod.com/id122.htm

The VIP Puppet Company
http://www.mwt.net/~jmrdc/5in1stageplans.htm

Because skits are downloaded electronically (online through the web) we cannot issue a refund once the skit has been downloaded.