At the Pantomime - Lesson 4: Crazy Costumes

Detailed lesson plans, informative and engaging slides, worksheets, picture cards, challenges and many other helpful resources are all included in this KS2 'At the Pantomime' Art scheme of work, leaving you free to enjoy watching your children take centre stage as their pantomime designs take shape.

The first lesson in this series aims to help your class become more familiar with the features and design aspects of pantomimes. They will explore what pantomimes are and some of the things you will always expect to see and hear at a panto. There is also a great video courtesy of UK Productions which gives your class a fantastic overview of what pantomimes are like.

By the end of this lesson, your children will have designed their own set for a particular scene in a pantomime. Using the helpful pointers and information on the slides, your class will be guided through the process of designing a set, including the use of flats to add depth and dimension.

Now that your class have designed their very own set for a particular scene in a pantomime, they can follow their design to make a model set using a variety of techniques and materials. The slides will help them consider what they need to do before they start and reminds them of the different processes they can use. There is also an example of how to make a simple model set for those who did not complete a design in the previous lesson.

This lesson takes a look at costume designs for different pantomime characters, paying particular attention to the costumes of the wackiest characters of all - the pantomime dames. Your class will be shown how to use a simple template as the basis, before being let loose on their own crazy costume designs!

This lesson explores different props that certain characters need as part of their costume, such as wands, swords, wings or hooked hands. Your class will consider how the design of these accessories can help portray the character they are dressing, as well as how, for example, a wand might look different for a goody and a baddy. They can then have a go at designing their own costume accessories for particular characters.

In the final lesson of the series, your class will imagine they are putting on a pantomime and their task is to create a poster advertising their panto to the public. They will think about what colours, fonts and design features to use, as well as how to persuade people that their panto will be the best in town!