There is something irresistibly magical about Victorian Christmas traditions. The 19th century was a time when handmade gifts, paper crafts and family storytelling took centre stage, long before screens or mass produced toys.
Schools often explore Victorian history around Christmas because it blends learning with creativity, helping children experience the past in a hands on and memorable way. One of the most charming ideas from the era is the toy theatre, a miniature stage where children acted out stories with paper characters.
Bringing this historical craft to life is a lovely way to blend art, history and imaginative play, and it ties beautifully into lessons about 19th century English life and seasonal celebrations.
This craft comes from the brilliant activity book Live Like a Victorian, which explores daily life in the era through fun projects.
Victorian toy theatres, often referred to as juvenile drama, were popular in the 19th century and allowed families to recreate well known plays at home using printed sheets of scenery and characters. Children could stage their own performances, bringing storytelling to life through paper crafts and imaginative play.
They became a nostalgic part of theatre history, admired by writers, collectors and theatre lovers over the years, and they continue to inspire everything from museum displays to modern craft kits. Connecting this tradition to Christmas makes it a fun way for children to learn about Victorian culture while also enjoying hands on creativity, especially in classroom settings where history, art and storytelling come together naturally.
MAKE A TOY THEATRE
Now let’s dive into the full instructions so you can make your own paper theatre game at home.
How to make a Victorian toy theatre
Toy theatres were very popular in Victorian times. These miniature paper theatres reproduced popular plays of the time and were sold as kits that could be assembled at home. Each kit came with scenery, characters and a shortened script, so that families could react the play.
Materials
- • Cereal box
- • Scissors
- • Acrylic or poster paint
- • Several sheets of A4 or US letter white card
- • Sticky tape (optional) and PVA glue
- • 1 sheet tissue paper
- • 12in (30cm) ribbon
- • Long sticks, such as wooden skewers or straws
Instructions
-
Open out your cereal box. Following the picture to the right, draw a rectangular slot onto the side of the box, just over 1in (3cm) wide. Draw another large rectangle on the front of the box, leaving
a border of about 1in (3cm) around the edges
- Measure the side of your box (marked A in the picture). Then measure the same amount in from the edge of the large rectangle (marked B in the picture) and draw a line down the centre of the large rectangle as shown.
- Cut out the rectangular slot and the shaded area of the large rectangle (see picture). Next, cut along the dashed lines and fold along the dotted line shown in the picture – this rectangle will be folded back later to make the theatre’s stage.
- Now you are ready to paint your theatre! Use brown or black paint for the stage area. Choose any colour you like for the rest of the theatre. Leave to dry.
- Cut a strip of white card long enough to fit along the top of your stage (join together two strips of card if needed). Cut curved shapes along the bottom edge, as shown, and paint it. Leave to dry. To make your stage curtains, cut out two squares of tissue paper, long enough to go from the top of your stage to the bottom. Cut the ribbon in half. Gather a tissue paper square in the centre and tie a ribbon around it, then repeat for the other square. Glue the curtains to either side of the stage. Glue the curved piece of card over the curtains, at the top of the stage.
- Draw your characters onto white card and cut them out, then attach them to the ends of the sticks using glue or sticky tape.
- Reassemble the box and glue the edges together, leaving one side open. Fold back the theatre stage. Leave to dry. Draw a background scene on a piece of white card, and slip it into the open side of the box. You could draw extra scenes too, to swap in. Your theatre is now ready!
Note: You can move your characters around the stage from above, by placing the sticks through the narrow rectangular slot.
About the Book
This book dives into daily life in the Victorian era through practical, hands on activities rather than dry historical facts. Children will enjoy creating crafts that reflect real traditions from the time, from stage performances to household projects, making learning feel like play.
Live like a Victorian by Claire Saunders, illustrated by Wesley Robbins, Button Books, RRP £12.99, available online & from all good bookshops
You can buy Live Like a Victorian from Gifts to Me for only £10.35 (+P&P)! Usual RRP £12.99
Visit giftstome.co.uk and use the offer code R5999
Offer ends 31st January 2026
Victorian Toy Theatre History
Toy theatres became hugely popular in the 19th century thanks to publishers like Benjamin Pollock, whose name later became synonymous with the art form.
Theatres were sold as penny plain sheets that children could paint and assemble, often based on real plays performed on major stages. Pollock’s toy theatre shop eventually contributed to collections that inspired museums and libraries interested in theatre history, including Pollock’s Toy Museum.
These miniature paper stages influenced storytelling well into the 20th century, long before film took centre stage. Even today you can find vintage toy theatres for sale online, along with toy theater art, toy theater math tie ins, and classroom adaptations.
Children still enjoy the magic of staging their own performances, proving the timeless appeal of paper plays and characters.
More Books in the Same Series
If your family or classroom enjoys historical crafting and learning through hands on activities, there are other titles to explore in the same series. So if you enjoyed making this cardboard theater, explore some more!
We have also featured Live Like a Viking, Live like a Tudor and Live Like an Egyptian, each bringing different historical periods to life through meaningful projects. These books help children learn about history by doing, not just reading.
- Make a Viking Rune Name Sign From Air Dry Clay
- Make a Mummified Orange – A Hands-On Ancient Egypt Activity for Kids
- Make Your Own Tudor Ruff
If you make your own toy theatre, we would love to see how it turns out. Share this blog post with friends, teachers or your school community so others can enjoy crafting and learning about Victorian Christmas traditions too.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.