Can families enjoy Readers Theater, too? Absolutely! Whether you're homeschooling, pursuing family hobbies, or just trying to have fun and build some positive memories Family Readers Theater inspires participants. By choosing trustworthy and appropriate scripts your options are unlimited. This article covers just 8 opportunities for Family Readers Theater. But, perhaps you'll think of more?

I remember one delightful family gathering with a few international friends where we experimented with Readers Theater.  I had adapted the fun children's picture book, Tacky the Penguin, into a Readers Theater script.   Since I had several copies of the script for a homeschooling drama club, we passed out the scripts to the readers in the room–both children and adults.  Like many of the scripts that I write, this one includes a chorus of readers:  the Hunters (the bad guys in the story).  We had so much fun reading the script aloud as a family with guests that after the first reading we changed parts and did it again!  The experiment was a hit–especially among the international guests and our children.

Below are 8 opportunities for Family Readers Theater:

1.  Family Gatherings

Family gatherings provide a perfect opportunity for cross-generational Readers Theater.  Even with a large group of family members Readers Theater scripts can be practiced and performed.  You may divide your family members into different groups with different scripts to perform for each other and have them rehearse in different locations.

Or, just have one large group having fun reading aloud like we did with the picture book story of Tacky. For one large group choose a script with a chorus for greater flexibility.  (Some readers with small parts can also be part of the chorus.)  

You'll probably want to include different generations in the same small groups if you choose to divide into small groups.  Part of the fun could come from allowing a child who is a good reader be the main "director" for the rehearsal.  That child could assign parts, make suggestions, and give encouragement to the adult readers.  Make memories while you have fun.

2.  Holiday Celebrations

Holiday celebrations present an easy time to enjoy Family Readers Theater.  Many holidays have free Readers Theater scripts that you can find online–even on our website. (Most of the holiday scripts on our website are GIFT SCRIPTS. They cost you nothing.)

Oftentimes holiday Readers Theater scripts would be tied to the holiday you are celebrating, but there are no rules.  Choose scripts that are right for YOUR family or celebration.  

When our children were little we celebrated Epiphany (the story of the Wise Men who came to visit Jesus) with another family for several years. Every child and adult participated.  We used makeshift costumes and some actions to make the drama more fun.  Actually, one child had the non-speaking role of the Star.  That Star had a flashlight that she pointed at the ceiling with the three wise men following her.  Although that was not strictly Readers Theater, we all had fun–especially since some of the children were not yet readers.

This is what Bethany, a homeschooling mom wrote to me about her family's Thanksgiving holiday with Readers Theater:

"...We did Squanto's Squash for the family on Thanksgiving and [my sons] participated and loved it.  I am so excited about making this a major part of homeschooling.  What a great way to learn!"

3.  Homeschooling

Homeschooling furnishes MANY opportunities for Readers Theater–with or without parent intervention. This is what one homeschool mom wrote about her family's experience with our Readers Theater script "Noodle Strudel" (in our Script Buffet):

MAV's story made me smile–especially because her children were young (5 & 7, I remember). When you homeschool you can build lifelong skills in your children by integrating Readers Theater into a variety of subjects (e.g., reading, health, history, social studies, science, nature study, literature, writing, language arts, and more). Plus, you're unlimited in your options to include Readers Theater in unit studies or delight-directed studies.

4.  Family Devotions and Discussions

Some families practice regular family devotions and discussions.  Readers Theater offers a special way to involve every child.  Choose or write scripts based on your topic or sacred book (e.g., the Torah, the Bible...).  

If you're interested in Bible stories as the basis for Readers Theater scripts check out our category page with Biblical Literature script links for grades K-2, or our category page with Biblical Literature scripts for grades 3-5. [NOTE:The unstarred scripts are GIFT SCRIPTS at no charge to you.]

Do you have older readers? If so, maybe they can write their own scripts or check out our list of scripts on this Biblical Literature category page for grades 6-8 Yes, some of the scripts have an easier readability score. That doesn't change the story. Even adults read at different levels. [NOTE:The unstarred scripts are GIFT SCRIPTS at no charge to you.]

For family discussions consider choosing appropriate scripts–including non-fiction ones, biographies, adventures, and history. Ask questions and encourage your family to ask questions. For character-building discussions your children should be able to identify specific character traits that they see in the story.  

If some children are too young to read, let them be part of a memorized chorus, echo other readers, or just listen to the story.  Remember, you may rehearse the Readers Theater script more than once to increase fluency and impress the points that you're making.

5.  Telephone or Live Video Readers Theater with Relatives

So what do you do if your family is spread out? Does that mean that you can't enjoy Family Readers Theater? No, it means that you can be creative in your approach. I know of one mom who somehow gave Grandma one of our Readers Theater scripts (email, mail, or shared our website). Grandma got on the phone with two of her grandchildren and participated in live Readers Theater on the phone! They LOVED it!

Of course, the same could be done with Zoom calls, Facetime, Facebook Live or other live video technologies. Many of the technologies now allow for recording the memories of such informal fun. In fact, an online friend (Tracy Hansen) did a recorded Zoom call with teachers from several nations using one of our Readers Theater scripts: "The Earth Day Hen and Friends." Perhaps that recording could give you some ideas?

6.  Vacations from School

Students often complain about being bored during school vacations. Why not suggest that they practice and perform a Readers Theater script or two or three or MORE? Ha! Ha! They could design an entire program or series of performances for an audience.

Who is the audience? How about pets, stuffed animals, family, friends, or neighbors? Some entrepreneurial students might even want to charge admission! But, please make sure that the readers can be easily heard if people are "paying" for the performances. Puppet shows could be prerecorded and the children just act out the script with their puppets or stuffed friends.

7.  Inclement Weather

Of course, if the weather is bad and children can't go outside they may have to figure out something else to do. What do you do if a sports event or another special event is cancelled? What do you do if weather interrupts your plans? Skip the screen time and make some memories with Readers Theater! If you have some "emergency" scripts on hand you'll be well-prepared for their comments, "What do we do now?"

8.  Parent Breaks (parents become the audience)

If your children are old enough they may choose their own scripts from online sources or a family "library" of Readers Theater scripts. And, they may also WRITE their own Readers Theater scripts for family productions. In fact, an older child could easily become the director of a Readers Theater production with siblings and/or visiting relatives–without parent involvement!

This independent project probably works best if your children have already practiced some sort of Readers Theater in the past; but, most students quickly learn how to read their parts in a script.

I remember one of our grandsons telling me, "My friend and I did a REAL PLAY!" He was a young reader and so excited that they could read one of our Readers Theater scripts.

The rumor is that some children choose to read Readers Theater scripts aloud JUST FOR FUN! Of course, those who overhear the practices can be entertained, too.

So, what kind of Family Readers Theater will YOU try?

WARNING: Many students say, "Let's do another one!"
 
Will YOU be prepared?