Talent Show Planning and Performing

Paper and markers for making a program and signs

Phone or speaker for any backing music

Simple lighting — a desk lamp as a spotlight or string lights for ambiance

Any props, instruments, or costumes the performers need

Announce the talent show well in advance. Decide on a date, time, and location: the living room, the backyard, or even the garage.

Each performer chooses their act. It doesn't have to be musical — singing, dancing, instrument playing, magic tricks, comedy, poetry, anything goes.

Your child creates the official program: the order of acts, each performer's name, and the title of their act. Design the program like a real playbill.

Set up the space: define a "stage" area with clear boundaries, arrange chairs or cushions for the audience, set up a speaker if needed.

Hold a brief tech rehearsal. Each act runs through once to test timing, music cues, and positioning.

On showtime, your child plays emcee: introducing each act, keeping the show moving, and leading enthusiastic applause between performances.

End with all performers taking a group bow. Everyone contributed, everyone was celebrated.

The planning and organizing is as valuable as the performing. Your child is project managing: scheduling, designing, coordinating, and hosting. These are leadership skills.

Even reluctant performers will participate if the bar is low enough. "Your act can be 30 seconds" removes the pressure while still including everyone.

Charge "admission" of one compliment per person entering the audience. Everyone arrives having said something kind.

Film the show. It becomes a family video treasure that gets funnier and more precious with each passing year.

If your child loves this, make it seasonal — a talent show every few months. Quality improves dramatically when kids know another performance is coming.