Who’s Coming to the Stable? A gentle, original nativity made for the very youngest performers (ages 2 to 5). An adult narrator tells the story, and the children join in with short group lines, action songs and big smiles. Nobody has to read or learn a script.

Mary, Joseph and a little clip-clopping donkey walk to Bethlehem. There’s no room at the inn, so baby Jesus is born in a stable full of animals. A bright star shines, the sleepy sheep wake up, the angels bring good news and three kings follow the star, until everyone has come to the stable to say Happy Christmas. It takes about 10 minutes, or about 6 minutes with fewer songs for under-3s.

Perfect for nursery, preschool, playgroup, childminders, toddler groups, church groups and Reception classes (US preschool and kindergarten).

WHAT’S INSIDE (39 pages + editable script)

1. How It Works guide for the grown-ups, with tips for a calm, happy performance
2. Groups and Lines page: 9 groups (Mary and Joseph, Donkeys, Innkeepers, Stable animals, Stars, Sheep, Shepherds, Angels, Kings) with lines of one to four words
3. 6 optional solo lines for confident talkers (the narrator can say them instead)
4. Cast size guide for 8 to 45 children, plus ideas for shy children and children with additional needs
5. Our Play in Pictures: a visual timetable to tell the story before you practise
6. The narrator’s script: 8 short parts with every song written in (5 pages)
7. Song sheets: 9 action songs with original words to traditional tunes children already know, with actions for each
8. Picture cue cards for every group (5 pages), so non-readers know when it’s their turn
9. 6 headband templates: sheep, donkey and cow ears, star, halo and crown
10. Easy costume ideas using things families already have
11. Props and staging checklist, with how to make a box stable
12. 4-week practice planner and cast list
13. Letter to parents with reply slip, invitations (6 per page), programmes and certificates
14. 8 colouring pages of the characters
15. Editable Word script (.docx) to change names, add groups or share out lines

WHY YOU’LL LIKE IT

• Written for under-5s: short shouty lines said together, so nobody stands alone
• Picture cue cards and a visual timetable for children who can’t read yet
• Songs to tunes everyone knows, so you can sing without any music
• Headbands and colouring pages turn practice into a craft activity
• No royalties: perform it as often as you like and film it for families

WHAT YOU GET

• 2 PDF files: A4 and US Letter (same 39 pages)
• 1 editable Word file (.docx) of the script

HOW IT WORKS

• Print at 100% / actual size at home or at your setting
• Print the headbands and cue cards on card for best results
• Open the Word file in Word, Pages or Google Docs to make changes
• No recorded music is included. The song words are original and the tunes are traditional.