Free shadow puppet patterns

(If you’re looking for patterns for other puppet types, please use the menu to the right and select the ‘Free patterns’ category; you’ll find more lists there)?

I will be adding to this list as I find more patterns. Please note that these patterns come free courtesy of the credited people; please respect their wishes for creditation (if requested) if you publish the link elsewhere.

My pattern and video tutorial for a dog (actually two, one ’short’ and one ‘long’)
My pattern for a creepy halloween spider
Makezine’s shadow puppet PDF pattern
Disney Family Entertainment has a crocodile pattern (also a parrot and giraffe, which is linked from this main page)
Marilyn Kinsella has some basic instructions
Young Audiences (Northeast Ohio Arts for Learning) has this good teacher’s pack
Tasmanian Government education site has this basic instruction (scroll to bottom)
MOLLI has instructions on puppets and a cardboard theatre
Jamboree has patterns and instructions for a cardboard theatre, both for Billy Goat Gruff
ABC (Australia’s BC that is) Creature Feature’s site has cardboard theatre instructions and puppet basics
Charles Sturt University has some very basic building hints
Owly Shadow Puppets has a very good classroom exercise - actually good for adults too!
See More’s Workshop has another basic building hint page
Best for last - Hobey Ford’s advanced puppetry (pdf)

Why so few free puppet patterns? Find the answer here. Read the article on dispelling some myths about free patterns. How to make a screen is discussed here; how are shadow puppets different from silhouettes; making joints for shadow puppets; materials is discussed here. More patterns and shadow puppet products are available here.