WELCOME!
We are a social enterprise where creativity and imagination can flourish.
The Puppet Tree is a unique Art and Theatre space where people of ALL ages can explore the magic of puppetry. Starting from creating your own puppet, to playing with a REAL puppet theatre where you can let your imagination run wild with lights, music, scenery and more! Suitable for all ages, whole families, SEND and other educational needs. A child-centric, immersive and tech-free creative experience.
Come and visit us and lose yourself in an enchanting world of puppetry.
What do we do? Puppet workshops Puppet theatre Community projects Tell stories Sell puppets Education
Puppets transcend barriers caused by gender, ability, age, culture, education, and other communication challenges we face in a fast-paced world.
The Puppet Tree - Workshops and Theatre
We have run many successful workshops for the community which includes families, home educators, work groups, refugee children, and many others. Here at The Puppet Tree we offer puppet-making and theatre workshops to suit all wallets and reflect different ages, abilities, and artistic preferences.
The unique atmosphere of the theatre and the workshop space at the Puppet Tree allows children of all ages – and adults (especially those who are young at heart) to immerse themselves in puppet-based activities which soothe the soul.
You can talk about, and teach, almost any subject with a puppet.
When a puppet enters the stage people connect with its ‘story’ directly.
We have a small but carefully selected range of puppet designs that have been developed to suit all wallets and reflect different ages, abilities, and artistic preferences. Hundreds of kits have been prepared in-house in a technology free ‘step back in time’ environment for you to create your new puppet friend ranging from simple PIPPETS to MOPPETS and SMOOS!
What’s the difference between a Smoo and a Pippet? Take a look at the photos below!
Our kit parts are prepared with an old-fashioned sewing machine!
We feel that money should never be the prohibitor to a great experience.
We try to keep our prices as low as possible, in an affordable margin that everyone can enjoy, but this depends on grants, sponsorship and donations, so if you can donate or know someone who can then please let them know!
Nice things you've said about us!
...and there is more!
The Treehouse and
The Neverending Story Corner
Neverending Story Corner
You can visit the cosy ‘Neverending Story Corner’ during our opening hours and stay as long as you want. But please be considerate of others waiting for their turn.
The space has sensory toys, seating, a giant ‘fuzzy felt’ play scene, a sequin wall frame, sensory lighting and BOOKS!
You can pull the curtains around you to make it even more cosy for story time or bring your puppet characters to life on the tree house stage while you read to the sound of birdsong.
(Please consider putting a pound in the pig or a similar donation to help support our work.)
The Shop
Shop guilt free! All purchases from our shop help to fund our activities, so you can help us sustain this social enterprise.
We have a range of hundreds of carefully chosen puppets, traditional toys and music boxes for sale and you can chat to the toy shop lady who will help you choose your puppets and demonstrate simple little tricks to help bring them to life.
You can even buy our bespoke puppet kits.
Look out for the monkey jungle under the tree house and dinosaurs in their cozy cave!
PROJECTS
Norfolk's bear rehoming centre
Our Bear Rehoming Centre is a place of refuge for lost bears.
We dare you to look into their eyes and not want to take one home with you! All proceeds go towards keeping this wonderful Social Enterprise running, and of course, finding lost bears ‘forever’ homes.
Each one comes with a name and original poem to help bring a smile home with them.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
We have a passion for encouraging a life-long inspiration for creative play. Puppetry is a creative and expansive art form that engages and entertains, bringing a sense of wonder to a story or subject.
IN 2015 the founder of The Puppet Tree, Karen Crane, created and facilitated these two projects supported by Excel 2000 Norfolk.
The Mystery of Mystery Mist
A book and puppet film written for children to help them learn about North Norfolk’s fishing heritage. Funded by The North Norfolk District councils FLAG project.
Sparkle
A project written to support children who struggle with anxiety and bereavement through engaging in puppet -based activities. Funded by Children in Need.
Following the success of these projects Karen was motivated to create The Puppet Tree in 2016 and thanks to generous funding from The National Lottery fund and Children in Need The Puppet Tree has been able to continue developing puppet-based projects aimed to support the local community.
as well as...
Pip's Magic Tree
A book written to encourage children to develop their literary skills using puppets and puppet play. Funded by The Big Community Lottery Fund.
Pip's Magic Tree (All Aboard)
A puppet based project aimed at helping ease anxiety associated with the Covid 19 pandemic. Funded by Awards For All.
Pip’s Magic Tree with ‘Petal’s Upsy Downsy’ book
Written to help create your very own puppet play. With an easy reading option included.
Opening Hours
We are not a 9 to 5 shop and through the quiet months the shop door might be closed.
However…
We are ALWAYS available to speak or email.
Workshops, visits, and parties can also be booked for the same day ALL year round! For fast bookings, please call us and talk to us.
Opening hours for bookable experiences
- Workshops or Shop visits -
The theatre is available for bookings all year round… on any day.
Visits to the shop can be arranged on request.
Workshops available from 11am to 1.30 and 2pm to 4.30pm
Our shop is usually open during school holidays. (From 10.30 am to 5pm) for drop in ‘passing trade’ visits, but if you are travelling to us please email or call before your visit to ensure we don’t miss you.
01263 837675
Contact
You can phone us directly for any enquiries or send us an email to book a workshop.
- PHONE: 01263 837675
- EMAIL: hello@thepuppettree.org.uk
- Where to find us: The Puppet Tree, 9 Station Rd, West Runton, Cromer, NR27 9QD
