Paperplay facts for kids

Paperplay was a popular British children's TV show. It was made by Thames Television for the ITV network. The show ran from 1974 to 1981. It taught kids how to make cool things using paper and other everyday items.

The show was created and presented by Susan Stranks. She was also a presenter on another well-known children's show called Magpie.

What Was Paperplay About?

Each episode of Paperplay was a fun craft session. Susan Stranks would show viewers how to create simple crafts. She used materials like paper and things found around the house. These included items that might otherwise be thrown away.

The show encouraged children to be creative. It also taught them about recycling. They learned to turn ordinary objects into exciting new creations.

Meet the Puppets

Susan Stranks was not alone on the show. She had some very special helpers. These were two playful hand puppet spiders. Their names were Itsy and Bitsy.

• Itsy was the red spider. He was a boy and often made a growling sound.
• Bitsy was the yellow spider. She was a girl and made a squeaky sound.

Itsy and Bitsy were sometimes joined by other puppet friends. These included Boris the ladybird. There was also Cardew the caterpillar and Katie the bird. A person named Norman Beardsley operated all the puppets. He was hidden behind a black screen during filming.

Show Details

Paperplay was a short show, usually lasting about 10 minutes. It was broadcast on the ITV network. The show was very popular for its simple, hands-on approach to crafts. It inspired many children to try making things at home.

The show aired 182 episodes in total. It taught children that creativity can be found in everyday objects. It also showed them how much fun making things can be.