Puppet show: a guide for pros
What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.
Offering puppet show
You offer puppet shows for children's parties, libraries, schools and events. This guide covers what customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.
What customers ask
- What ages do your shows suit, and how long are they?
- Can you write a story around our party theme?
- Do you bring your own stage, or do we need to provide a table?
- How do you keep young children seated and engaged?
- Can I see a video of a show with children?
How to win the job
- On the first call, ask about the ages, the number of children, the theme and the space before you talk about the booking
- Send a video of a show with children, labeled with the age range and setting
- Put the show length, the story or theme, the setup needs, the participation plan and the arrival time in the written quote
- Share a list of the stories you perform by age range, so the customer can choose
- Confirm the stage, the table, the electrical needs for any sound and the seating area with the host
- Offer a written story outline for custom shows, and confirm the content before the event
- Carry spare puppets and a backup audio source, and say who covers if you are ill
What to put on your profile
- Video clips of shows with children, with permission where needed
- Photos of the puppets and your stage setup
- A list of the stories and songs you perform for each age range
- Your insurance status and the settings where you have performed, such as libraries and parties
Follow-up that helps the customer
- Offer a custom story outline for the birthday child or the event theme
- Suggest a puppet meet-and-greet after the show as a planned extra
- Recommend a craft or song add-on for a longer party slot
Licenses and permits
No state license is usually required for puppet shows. Carry general liability insurance, any local business license that applies and a written note of the venue's or library's rules for outside performers, and check state and local requirements with your licensing agency before taking jobs.
Questions
Do I need a permit to perform at a library or park?
Often the site has its own rules. Ask the library, school or park what applies and confirm the answer in writing before the event.
How do I manage a group of toddlers during the show?
Keep the show short, use simple repetition and invite the children to join a song or a question. Ask a parent or helper to sit near the group.
Can I use the puppets for a custom story?
Yes, if you agree on the outline and the content before the day. Review the script with the host so the story suits the children.
About this guide
This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
More music and entertainment guides for pros
Start here
About this guide
Get puppet show requests
Customers pick you by name. Signup is free, and you pay only for leads you accept.
Join as a pro