Paint It! Make It! Perform It! — Puppet Theatre Day Camp at The Playhouse, Cheltenham

On a bright summer morning at The Playhouse Theatre in Cheltenham, a cluster of paint-caked children gather around worktables, scissors and glue like instruments in a small, furious orchestra. Paint It! Make It! Perform It! is a one-day workshop by Paint Pot Parties that turns those tools into a miniature puppet theatre and a short play created, built and acted by participants aged eight to fourteen. Meeting at The Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham from 10am–3pm on select August dates, the session compresses art, storytelling and stagecraft into five immersive hours. What sets this day camp apart is its full creative arc: participants paint scenery, construct puppets, write original scripts and stage a final performance. The Playhouse’s simple stagecraft and open rehearsal room become a hands-on classroom in set design, character work and collaborative storytelling. An Enhanced DBS-checked, certified Therapeutic Art Coach leads the day, offering a nurturing, structured environment where children learn technical craft skills while building confidence and peer communication. Key features include puppet-making stations, a build-your-own miniature theatre, scenery painting zones and a rehearsal area for the final presentation. The activities emphasize tactile materials — papier-mâché, foam, fabric and tempera paints — and the process-oriented joy of crafting something you can perform. For families in Cheltenham, this program is a practical, creative alternative to screen time and a friendly introduction to live theatre through hands-on making. Practical details are straightforward: available dates are 4th, 5th, 24th and 25th August; bring a named packed lunch, snacks and a water bottle. The workshop runs five hours and is designed for ages 8–14. Spaces are limited and advance booking through the provided referral link is recommended. The Playhouse Theatre is a local cultural hub in Cheltenham, and this partnership with Paint Pot Parties reinforces the town’s lively community arts scene. This workshop is ideal for children who enjoy arts, drama or collaborative projects. It’s suitable for beginners and those with some theatre experience; no technical skills are required. Parents can expect a day of measurable growth — shy participants often discover new confidence while performing for a supportive audience of peers. The program also models sustainable crafting choices by encouraging reuse of materials and minimizing waste. Whether your child wants to try puppetry, experiment with storytelling, or simply spend a creative day among encouraging peers, Paint It! Make It! Perform It! at The Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham offers a compact, memorable theatre experience that leaves both a painted puppet and a brighter sense of possibility. Parents receive a short debrief at pickup detailing creative highlights and learning points, and photographs of the performance are often available through the organizer to share with family and friends. Booking early is advised to secure a place. Spaces fill fast.