Helpful Guides
How to Put on a Short Play
Three-page guide to putting on short plays with young children.
How to Turn Stories into Plays
Complete guide to creating plays based on children’s books!
Books for Children to Act Out
List of 75 children’s books to use in drama class. Includes extra information on each title!
Plays in order of cast size.
50 Skits for Kids
50+ royalty-free scripts for kids and teens!
Mad Lib Scenes
Ten funny scenes with five suggestions for how to use them. Great for elementary through high school.
Dr. Seuss Show Outline
Flexible run time, flexible cast. Use this easy outline to fully create a show based on Dr. Seuss stories.
Shel Silverstein Show Outline
Flexible run time, flexible cast. Use this easy outline to fully create a show based on the poems of Shel Silverstein.
A Tree Called Aesop
20-60 characters. Full-length play. Features ten fables told individually. Flexible cast! (10 credits.)
America’s Secret
33 characters. 10F or 33 either, flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A play about the women of the American Revolution written by Laura Rohrman.
Plays for You and a Friend or Two
31 characters. Flexible casting. 59 pages in length. Approximately 60 minutes running time. A compilation of 12 short plays for children written by Phyllis J. Perry.(10 credits)
Camp Kindness
30 characters, flexible cast. 30-45 minutes running time. Teaches the virtue of kindness! (5 credits)
Toy Store
5-30 characters (13 characters as written), approximately 10 minutes running time. When the shop owner leaves, all the toys come to life! (1 credit)
The Monsters of Hodgepodge Forest
Parts for 25+ actors. 15 minutes long. Original monster-themed play best suited for ages 5-11. (3 credits.)
Legend of the Blue Sapphire
25 characters, flexible casting! 45-minute adventure/comedy. Ages 8-12. (5 credits)
The Magic Necklace
24+ characters. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A magical comedy for children and teens by Barbara Henderson.
The Mystery of the Missing Medallion
23 characters. 45-minute adventure/comedy. Ages 8-12. Flexible casting! (5 credits)
Weird World of Weather
21 characters. 2M, 3F, 16 Either. 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedy for children about the unpredictability of the weather by Barbara Henderson.
Stone Soup
20+ characters, flexible cast. 10 minutes long. Best suited for ages 6-10. (3 credits.)
Robinson Crusoe
20+ characters, flexible cast. 12 minutes long. Best suited for ages 8-12.
Thirteen Colonies Game Show
20+ characters. 8 pages long. Approximately 10 minutes running time. American history play in which students portray the original thirteen colonies.
Olla and Ollie
4-20+ characters. 1M, 1F, Flexible Cast; 25 pages in length. Approximately 20-30 minutes running time. A fantasy adventure for children and teens written by Leonard Goodisman. (5 credits)
Henry the Monster
20 characters, flexible cast. 25-35 minutes running time. Ages 8-12. A play that teaches students to accept each other’s differences. (5 credits)
It Could be Worse
20 characters. Five-minute play. Best-suited for ages 6-10. Includes discussion questions, production notes and extension activities! (3 credits)
In the Box
5-19 characters. 2M, 11F, 6Either; Flexible Casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A spoof on television for kids by playwright Elizabeth Rapoza.
The Real Deal
18 characters. 12 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. An adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit written by Cathleen Freedman.
The Selfish Giant
Parts for 16+ actors. Ten minutes long. Best suited for ages 9-13, however, this story is really ageless and may be performed by children all the way up to adults. (3 credits.)
Doctor Mercury
16 characters. 8M, 8F, Flexible Cast; 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A time-travelling comedy for children written by Terence Patrick Hughes.
Dolly the Polka Dotted Lama and the Mackindoo Zoo
15+ characters of any gender. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Dolly has a hard time fitting in because she looks different, but it is her uniqueness that ultimately saves the day. Comedy for all ages by Chuck Novatka.
Fred the Skunk
15 characters. Flexible gender casting, as characters are all animals. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play about a skunk who wants to make friends.
A Fly In The Eye
15 characters. Flexible casting. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A comedy for children and teens about a scientific experiment gone wrong by Barbara Henderson.
Rainforest Murder
14+ characters. Flexible casting. 5 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. An action-packed adventure for children and teens by Barbara Henderson.
Mother Duck and the Golden Goose
14 characters. Approximately 30 minutes running time. Fun, mixed-up fairytale/nursery rhyme play! (3 credits.)
Ear Today, Gone Tomorrow
14 characters. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Short play about fitting in, featuring an all-animal cast!
Peter Pan for Young Performers
13+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes long. Includes simple songs from the public domain. Early reader script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
Kid Superheroes on the Rise
13+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. Comedy adventure script about kid superheroes who use their imaginations and work together to fight bad guys.
Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter
13 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Join Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Hunker Munker, and other animal friends as they surprise Beatrix Potter with kindness and friendship. Written by Jennifer Reif.
Alice in Paris-Land
13+ characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes long. A fantastical story about a young girl named Alice who travels to Paris during Fashion Week, meets interesting characters, and uses her imagination to save the day.
The Imaginary Friends Detective Agency
12+ characters. 9F, 7M; Flexible casting; 45 pages in length. Approximately 45 minutes running time. A lighthearted drama about loss written by Trevor Suthers. (5 credits)
Peter Pan in Thirty Minutes
12+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. Includes songs from the public domain. Comedy adventure script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening
Parts for 12+ actors. 18 minutes long. Original pirate-themed play best suited for ages 7-13.
Dorothy’s Adventure in the Magical Kingdom of Oz
12+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time.
A Pirate’s Tale
Parts for 12+ actors. Original pirate-themed play best suited for ages 7-13. 18 minutes long.
The Ugly Dogling or Last Chance Tuesday
12 characters. 6F, 6M; Flexible casting; 27 pages in length. Approximately 30 minutes running time. A canine comedy with puppets written by Patricia Lawler Kenet. * There is a very subtle reference to death. (5 credits)
A History of Messy Rooms
12 characters; 4M, 5F, 2Either; Flexible casting; 11 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An historical comedy about bed-making written by Wade Bradford.
The Bill Of Rights
10+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes long with audience participation. Informative and playful script about the importance of the Bill of Rights to the United States.
Merlin and the Dragons
10+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A simple and funny play about the legend of the Sword and the Stone.
The Big Top
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Original script by Laura Rohrman and her young students.
A Million Cats
10+ characters. 1M, 1F, 8 or more of any gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Classic story about an old man who brings home millions of cats to his wife.
The Moon Dream
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. A dog dreams of going to the moon. Original script by Laura Rohrman and her young students.
Alice in Wonderland in 20 Minutes
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes running time with ideas for adding creative movement. Traditional Alice in Wonderland story, perfect for elementary through high school. Includes suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your production.
Alice in Wonderland Seussical Style
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Narration and rhyming make it perfect for elementary and middle school. Suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your performance.
Peter Pan and the Lost Girl
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Peter Pan meets Little Red Riding Hood in this short play by Willow Rowe. Fun for all ages.
Space Travel Rap
10+ characters. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Fun space-themed short play featuring a ‘rapping’ chorus!
Jabberwocky
10 characters. Approximately five-minutes long. Humorous re-telling of the classic Lewis Carroll poem.
Night Crew
10 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 12 minutes running time. Short, comedic play about imaginary characters who visit children at bedtime.
The Kids and The Fairy Tree
9+ characters. 4F, 4M, 1+ Either; Flexible casting; 11 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedy for children about teamwork written by Daniel Guyton.
Winnie the Pooh and a Library Too
9 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. Winnie the Pooh and his friends help Piglet learn to read. Perfect for elementary and middle school. Focus on SEL (Social-Emotional Learning)
Why The Bullfrog Croaks
9 characters. Flexible casting; 7 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An comedy for children about humility written by Karleen Hayden.
A Sea Change in the Forest
9 characters. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Short environmental play about keeping our woodlands safe, while continuing to provide lumber for society.
The Day Global Trade was Saved by Kids from PS188
9 characters. Approximately 5 minutes long. Short funny play about global economics, politics, and making compromises!
Terri and the Turkey
9 characters; 4M, 3F, 2Either; Flexible casting; 5 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A Thanksgiving comedy about the perils of being a turkey written by Wade Bradford.
The Velveteen Rabbit
9 characters; 2M; 7 either; flexible casting; 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An adaptation about a well-loved stuffed animal written by Andy Pavey.
The Man Who Loved Clocks
9 characters. Approximately 7 minutes long. A twisted narrator brings a play to life in real-time.
Narrator Gone Bad
9 characters. Approximately 7 minutes long. A twisted narrator brings a play to life in real-time.
Canary, Cockroach, Phoenix
8+ characters; 6F, 1M, 1+ Either; 35 pages in length. Approximately 30-40 minutes running time. A musical drama for children written by Starry Krueger. (5 credits)
Chicken Little Investigates
8+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10
minutes running time. Science-based tale, where characters discover gravity. Includes drama lesson plan. Adapted by Lois Wickstrom.
Pirate Treasure
8 characters with flexible cast. 9 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedy for young performers written by Andy Pavey.
Bumpy Ride
8 characters, flexible gender casting. Approximately 6 minutes running time. A moose needs help on her way to work, but various animals refuse to come to her aid.
The Pirates and the Monster
8 characters, flexible cast, 7 minutes long. Best for ages 7-10. A monster tries to outsmart a band of pirates.
Why Pig Likes the Mud
8 characters. 1M, 7F; Flexible casting; 5 pages long. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A germaphobic barnyard comedy written by Evan Baughfman.
Breathe
8 characters, 1M, 1F, 6 flexible gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time.
The Velveteen Rabbit
7-10 characters, approximately 15 minutes running time. Touching story based on the beloved children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Incorporates tableaus and creative movement. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
Rainbowland
7+characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Colorful characters like fairies, knights, witches, and butterflies share a message of kindness. Leading narration makes it easy for young children to perform. Written by Jennifer Reif.
Sally the Stone
7+ characters. 2M, 4F, 5 Either; Flexible casting; 7 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A play about kindness written by Sally Schnarr and Ken Urso.
Island 2050
7+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. In this futuristic comedy, characters pursue their dreams in search of The Golden Burrito! Original script by Laura Rohrman and her young students.
The Lemunion Tree
7+ characters; Flexible cast. 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A drama for children ages 10 and older written by Cynthia Morrison.
The Heart of Puzzlania
7 characters, 11 pages. Short script that teaches tolerance and the value of diversity. For ages 11 and up.
Dolphins and Grolphins and the Keys to Success
7+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Comedy play about dolphins teaching the keys to happiness and success. Perfect for elementary students and SEL, Social Emotional Learning.
Superhero Rejects
7 characters; 1F; 1M; 5 Either. 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedy for teens written by Andy Pavey.
Tom Sawyer and the Picket Fence
7 characters. Approximately 8 minutes long. Short play adaptation of the classic Mark Twain story!
Tasty Vegetables
7 characters, any gender…they’re vegetables. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A gang of vegetables devises a plan for getting kids to like them.
Peter’s Big Adventure
Parts for 7 actors. 7 minutes long. Ages 7-10. Adaptation of the classic story by Beatrix Potter.
Huff, Puff, Grind…The Three Little Pigs Get Smart
6+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Science-based tale, where characters discover a problem can be a solution out of place. Includes drama lesson plan. Adapted by Lois Wickstrom.
Little Miss Muffet
7 characters; 2F; 3M; 2 M or F. 5 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. An adaptation of the nursery rhyme written by Andy Pavey.
Peter Rabbit
7 characters; 4F; 3M. 7 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. An adaptation of the classic tale written by Andy Pavey.
Happiness Stan
7 characters. Approximately 6 minutes long. A mystical fairy tale based on lyrics from a 1960’s song.
A Big Mess
6 characters. 3M, 3F, flexible casting. Short play by Debra A. Cole about the importance of staying organized.
The Sleepy Bear
6 characters, 1F, 5 any gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Comedic play by Debra A. Cole about natural disasters.
PANDAmonium
6 characters, 3F, 3M. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play by Debra A. Cole that addresses racism and diversity in a non-threatening way.
The Amazing Rat
6 characters. 2M, 4F; Flexible casting. 9 pages long. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A sci-fi rodent comedy written by Evan Baughfman.
Grateful Granny Pageant
6 characters, 1M, 5F. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Five modern grannies compete in a beauty pageant.
Dinner Lessons
6 characters, 3M, 3F. Approximately 10 minutes running time. The class prankster gets a surprise when his teacher comes to his house for dinner.
At the Pool’s Edge
6 characters with flexible cast. Approximately 6 minutes long. Best for ages 8-11. A girl has a strange experience when she falls into a pool.
Room in the Forest
6 characters. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Engaging play about the relationship between humans and wildlife.
Don Quixote
6 characters; 2F; 2M; 2 Either. 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation written by Andy Pavey.
The Pizza Man’s Problem
6 characters, 4 M, 2 F. (Mechanic could be female.) Approximately 7 minutes long. Best for ages 8-11. A funny play about a pizza man who cannot make pizza.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines
5+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Science-based tale, where characters explore scientific principles. Includes drama lesson plan. Adapted by Lois Wickstrom.
The Pond
5+ characters, flexible gender casting. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Short play based on a Native American fable.
Red Shoes
5 characters. 4F, 1M. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play about a girl who finds herself in an unfortunate situation, yet finds her strength to overcome adversity.
Where Is Bartram?
5 characters. 2F, 3M, 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A play for children about protecting endangered species written by D.C. Copeland.
The Price of Gold
5 characters-all male cast. Approximately 10 minutes running time. This amusing short play by Debra A. Cole is a cautionary tale about greed.
A Nutty Tale
5 characters; 2M, 2F, 1 Either; 6 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A drama for children written by Barry M. Putt, Jr.
The Allergens
5 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. Short play by Debra A. Cole, in which allergy-causing foods bemoan their fate.
The Secret
5 characters, 1M, 1F, 3 any gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Funny short play about keeping secrets.
Why Crocodile is so Snappy
5 characters. Flexible casting; 6 pages long. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A comedy about the crocodile written by Evan Baughfman.
Lunch Time
5 characters, 4F, 1 any gender. Approximately 7 minutes running time. A family of bunnies outwits a wily fox.
Roofus and Ryan
5 characters, any gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play about resilience.
Stinky Frank
5 characters. 3 M, 2 F. Approximately 7 minutes running time. Short play by Debra A. Cole about personal hygiene.
The Tiny Little Giant
5 characters, 1M, 1F, 3 either. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A short play by Debra A. Cole about embracing our differences.
Birds of a Feather
4 characters, any gender. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Adorable short play by Debra A. Cole about beauty coming from within.
Calypso, the Royal Dragon
4 characters. Flexible casting. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about a worried dragon written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Rooster Today, Chickens Tomorrow
4 characters, 2M, 1F, 1 either. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Short play about the importance of finding meaning in everyday occurrences.
Virtual Life
4 characters, 2F, 2M. Approximately 7 minutes running time. Short play about how video games distract people from real life.
Like Father, Like Son
4 characters, all male. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play by Debra A. Cole, in which two boys brag about their fathers.
Boy Lizard
4 characters. 3M 1F, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Short wizard-themed skit, parodying Harry Potter.
Cloud 9.45B
3 characters; 1F, 2M; 10 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedy for young performers written by Sarah Thewlis.
The Best Birthday Ever
3 characters. 2F, 1M. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about a gift for a princess written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Pirate Treasure
3 characters. Flexible casting. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about a pirate adventure written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Hiccups
3 characters. 3F. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about a very special birthday gift written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Gloomy, Rainy Day
3 characters. 2F, 1M. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about bringing cheer to the royal family written by Phyllis J. Perry.
For You or for Me?
3 characters. 1F, 1M, 1Either. 3 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about the perfect Christmas gift written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Snow Day Superstitions
3 characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play about kids wishing for a snow day.
Never Empty Stew Pot
3 characters. 3F. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about a very special birthday gift written by Phyllis J. Perry.
A Candy for Kimo
1-3 characters. Approximately ten minutes running time. A Hawaiian boy gets more than candy on Halloween.
The Star Counter
2 characters; 2 Either; Flexible casting; 9 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A fantasy for children written by Paul Antokolsky.
Three Sticks
2 characters with flexible casting. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about destroying someone’s property written by Phyllis J. Perry.
In the Cave
2 characters. 2F. 3 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about a spooky hiking trip written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Lost and Found
2 characters. Flexible casting. 3 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about disorganization written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Bus Lessons
2 characters; 1F, 1M; 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedy for teens written by Luke Stapleton.
Captain Stragglybeard’s Apprentice
2 characters. 7 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A puppet play written by award-winning playwright, Barbara Henderson.
The Magic Hat
2 characters. 2F. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about an enchanted hat written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Right Foot, Wrong Shoe
2 characters. 2F; 2 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A scene for teens about potential humiliation written by David-Matthew Barnes.
The Hula Hoop Girls: Sibling Rivalry
2 characters. 2F; 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A scene for young girls about siblings written by David-Matthew Barnes.
Two Fussy Frogs
2 characters. Flexible casting. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about two sneaky frogs written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Have A Hoppy Holiday
2 characters. 3 pages long. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A comedy for children about the loss of a pet by playwright, Scot Walker.
Lost and Found
2 characters. Flexible casting. 3 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short play for children about disorganization written by Phyllis J. Perry.
Mini Melodrama Scripts
Here are three high-energy short scripts to use when teaching melodrama!
