April 25, 2026Fourth Saturday in April#NationalDayOfPuppetry
Celebrate National Day of Puppetry with Hand Shadow Puppets
America's day to celebrate the art of puppetry
What is National Day of Puppetry?
The National Day of Puppetry encourages everyone to discover puppetry in all its forms. Hand shadow puppets are the most accessible entry point — no supplies, no cost, no experience needed.
Established: 1999 by Puppeteers of America, proposed by Carol FijanOfficial source
How it connects to hand shadows
Puppeteers of America established this day to celebrate every form of puppetry. Hand shadowgraphy is puppetry stripped to its essence: your hands become the puppet, a wall becomes the stage.
How to celebrate with shadow puppets
- 1.Find a dim room with a light-colored wall. A bedroom, hallway, or living room at night works well.
- 2.Use a single light source — your iPhone flashlight, a desk lamp, or a flashlight. Position it behind you, about 15–18 inches from your hand.
- 3.Start with the rabbit — two fingers up for ears, a fist for the head. It is the classic first figure for a reason.
- 4.Try the dog next — use your thumb and pinky to open and close the mouth. Give it a voice.
- 5.Take a photo or video of your best shadow and share it to r/shadowpals with #NationalDayOfPuppetry.
Try it yourself
Shadow Pals is a free iPhone app that coaches you through hand shadow figures in real time. It uses the camera to track your hand and show you exactly which fingers to adjust.