Who's in the Old Tree?

Using a tri-fold presentation board, I made what sort of resembles an oak tree. I covered it in crumpled brown kraft paper, so it would look like bark and cut a hole in the center. I added kraft paper tree limbs and faux autumn oak leaves.

Since I was using this skit with my toddler group, I placed the tree up high on our lectern and I could easily manipulate the puppets behind the tree. The children were mesmerized, especially when the spider popped out.

I used a familiar song we sing and adapted it to this skit.

Puppets:
As many animals and insects as you want to live in your oak tree. I used:
a cardinal
a squirrel
a spider

Props:
A tree with a cut-out for the animals to peek out of.

"Who's in the Old Tree?"
Who's in the old tree,
the old tree, the old tree?
Who's in the old tree?
I don't know!
Let's find out!

This was easy and satisfyingly simple.

Five Little Apples

This is a puppet and flannel board combination skit. Very simple and effective. I used it this morning with my preschool group and it was a sweet addition to our stortytime.

Puppets:
caterpillar (or worm)
horse
pig
goat
squirrel

Props:
flannel board tree with five removable apples

"Five Red Apples"
Five red apples on the tree,
the farmer didn't care, so guess who came to eat?

CATERPILLAR!
Munch! Munch! Munch!

Countdown until you get to one.

The tree is bare,
there are no more apples there.
But when next Fall comes around,
guess who will be found?
Caterpillar, horse, pig, goat and squirrel!