StoryMaker Magic!
StoryMaker Magic! is Playcrafter Kids' signature 30-minute early childhood theater experience, blending original stories and music, creative drama, movement, puppetry, imaginative play, and emergent literacy into one joyful adventure.
Children don't just listen to the story. They help create it!
Early Childhood Theater & Creative Arts Enrichment
What happens during StoryMaker Magic?
👋 Welcome & StoryMaker Ritual
Children gather, connect, and prepare their imaginations.
📖 The Story Begins
An original adventure introduces characters, rich vocabulary, and a playful problem.
🎭 Become the Story
Children move, sing, pretend, create characters, use props, engage with puppets, make choices, and help determine what happens next.
🎶 Music & Movement
Original songs, instruments, scarves, movement, and dramatic play keep little bodies actively engaged.
💡 We Solve It Together
Children use their ideas, language, creativity, and collaboration to help the characters.
✨ StoryMaker Goodbye
A familiar closing ritual celebrates what we created together.
We Play With Purpose!
Underneath every adventure is intentional early childhood learning.
📚 Language & Emergent Literacy
Vocabulary, sequencing, prediction, storytelling, listening and expressive language💛 Social-Emotional Development
Empathy, confidence, emotional expression, cooperation and belonging🎭 Creative Confidence
Imagination, risk-taking, problem solving, choice-making and original thinking🎶 Whole-Body Learning
Music, rhythm, movement, sensory exploration and dramatic play
Investment
Rates for Centers & Home Providers:
Weekly 30-minute class- $35
Bi-weekly 30-minute class- $40
Monthly (if available)- $40
✨ Let’s Make Some Magic! ✨
Bring StoryMaker Magic! to Your School or Program
Interactive story theater for ages 2–5, brought directly to preschools, childcare centers, and family childcare homes throughout Northern Colorado.
❤️ 30-minute Adventure Class
🧡 On-site Enrichment
💛 Weekly or Bi-weekly classes
💚 Created for ages 2 - 5
💙 Great for groups of 4 - 20 children
💜 Led by professional teaching artists!
Meet the Teaching Artists
Creator, Early Childhood Educator
& Theater Maker
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Early Childhood Educator & Theater Maker
Professional Thespian & Educator
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Early Childhood Educator & Theater Maker
Frequently Asked Questions
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StoryMaker Magic! is an interactive early childhood theater and creative arts enrichment program designed especially for young children. Each 30-minute adventure blends original stories and music, creative drama, movement, puppetry, imaginative play, and emergent literacy. Rather than simply listening to a story, children become part of it by moving, singing, pretending, problem-solving, and contributing their own ideas.
Created and tested by Deanna Mae at her early childhood center, Playcrafter Kids Preschool. -
StoryMaker Magic! is primarily designed for children ages 2–5, with activities and invitations adapted to meet children at different developmental stages. Our playful, flexible approach allows toddlers and preschoolers to participate in ways that feel comfortable to them, whether they're enthusiastically acting out the story or quietly observing before deciding to join.
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StoryMaker Magic enrichment classes are approximately 30 minutes long, a length intentionally designed for young children. Each experience moves between storytelling, music, movement, creative drama, puppetry, imaginative play, and child participation to keep little minds and bodies actively engaged.
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Watching is participating, too! We never require a child to perform, speak, sing, or join an activity before they're ready. Children are invited to participate in ways that feel comfortable to them, whether that's moving right alongside us, offering an idea, holding a puppet, or simply watching. StoryMaker Magic creates a welcoming environment where children can build confidence at their own pace.
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StoryMaker Magic works beautifully with small groups of approximately 4–20 children. Because the experience is interactive rather than a performance children simply watch, keeping groups within this range allows our teaching artists to respond to children's ideas and create meaningful opportunities for participation.
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Very little! StoryMaker Magic is designed to be easy for educators and providers. We bring the story, music, materials, puppets, props, instruments, and imagination. We simply ask providers to have an open space where children can safely gather and move and for a familiar educator to remain with the group. Then it's time to play!
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Yes! Emergent literacy is intentionally woven throughout StoryMaker Magic. Through rich vocabulary, songs, repetition, sequencing, prediction, character play, storytelling, listening, and conversation, children practice many of the foundational language and literacy skills that prepare them for future reading and writing. Best of all, they're developing these skills through joyful, meaningful play.
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StoryMaker Magic enrichment classes begin at $35 for a weekly 30-minute class. Bi-weekly classes are $40 per visit, with monthly visits offered when scheduling allows. New providers can experience StoryMaker Magic with a $25 demo class before committing to ongoing enrichment.
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Playcrafter Kids is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, and StoryMaker Magic serves early childhood programs throughout Northern Colorado. We currently travel to Fort Collins and surrounding communities including Wellington, Timnath, Windsor, Loveland, Berthoud, and Johnstown. If your program is outside these areas, please reach out. We'd love to explore whether StoryMaker Magic can travel to you.
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Yes! StoryMaker Magic travels directly to preschools, childcare centers, family childcare homes, learning centers, camps, and other early childhood organizations throughout Northern Colorado. We bring the materials and lead the entire 30-minute experience at your location, making it easy to add high-quality performing arts enrichment to your program.
Join StoryMaker Magic! at Playcrafter Kids
Use the arts to strengthen your creative bond with your child(ren) - get silly and have fun!
90-minute child & caregiver experience:
30-minute StoryMaker adventure
15-minute process art time
45-minute community open play
Taught by Deanna Mae
StoryMaker Magic: Community Play Classes @ Playcrafter Kids
Ages 2-5 with a Caregiver
Where stories come to life & imaginations grow!
Step through the storybook and into a world where dragons might become dance partners, raindrops can sing, forests whisper secrets, and every child has an important role to play.
StoryMaker Magic is Playcrafter Kids' signature early childhood theater experience, lovingly created and taught by Deanna Mae, educator, children's author, and founder of Playcrafter Kids. For more than 11 years, Deanna has been refining this play-based approach to help young children build confidence, creativity, language, and social-emotional skills through the magic of imaginative play.
Each 90-minute class is intentionally designed to nurture both children and caregivers through joyful shared experiences.
Every class includes:
30 Minutes of Interactive Theater
Become part of an original StoryMaker adventure filled with characters, movement, music, dramatic play, puppets, and imaginative storytelling. Children won't just listen to the story... they'll help create it.15 Minutes of Creative Art
Continue the adventure with a process-based art invitation inspired by the day's story.45 Minutes of Open Play
Stay, explore, and connect! Families are invited to enjoy Playcrafter Kids' thoughtfully designed play space invitations while children build friendships, practice independence, and continue imaginative play.
Why StoryMaker Magic?
Young children learn best through play. Our classes naturally support:
• Early literacy and language development
• Social-emotional learning
• Creative confidence
• Gross and fine motor development
• Music and rhythm
• Problem solving
• Collaboration
• Imagination
Perhaps most importantly, StoryMaker Magic gives children and caregivers an opportunity to create joyful memories together while becoming part of a welcoming community.
Every story invites children to wonder, "What if...?"
Every class reminds them, "Your ideas matter."
Fall StoryMaker Magic Series
Each four-week session explores a brand-new imaginative world while introducing original songs, stories, theater games, artistic expression, and playful adventures.
Session 1: We Are Musicians!
Discover the music hiding all around us! Together we'll create rhythms, invent instruments, sing songs, and become part of an unforgettable musical adventure.
Class Details
♥️ Date: Thursdays, September 3, 10, 17 & 24
🧡 Time: 9:30 - 11:00AM
💛 Location: Playcrafter Kids (1815 Yorktown Ave., FoCo. Located inside the Foothills Unitarian Church)
💚 Ages 2 - 5
💙 $125 per four-week session
💜 Caregiver participation required
Younger and older siblings are always welcome to attend at a discounted rate.
Additional child - use code SIBLING for 20%
Join us as we laugh, imagine, create, and discover the extraordinary stories waiting inside every child. Because every great adventure begins with "Once upon a time…"
Partial scholarships are available—contact Deanna at info@playcrafterkids.com for details or to combine discounts. Spaces fill up fast, so secure your spot in StoryMaker Magic today!
An enrollment form will be sent after registering.
Note: The 2-month plan will have a $5 administration fee on the next invoice.
StoryMaker Magic: Community Play Classes @ Playcrafter Kids
Ages 2-5 with a Caregiver
Where stories come to life & imaginations grow!
Step through the storybook and into a world where dragons might become dance partners, raindrops can sing, forests whisper secrets, and every child has an important role to play.
StoryMaker Magic is Playcrafter Kids' signature early childhood theater experience, lovingly created and taught by Deanna Mae, educator, children's author, and founder of Playcrafter Kids. For more than 11 years, Deanna has been refining this play-based approach to help young children build confidence, creativity, language, and social-emotional skills through the magic of imaginative play.
Each 90-minute class is intentionally designed to nurture both children and caregivers through joyful shared experiences.
Every class includes:
30 Minutes of Interactive Theater
Become part of an original StoryMaker adventure filled with characters, movement, music, dramatic play, puppets, and imaginative storytelling. Children won't just listen to the story... they'll help create it.15 Minutes of Creative Art
Continue the adventure with a process-based art invitation inspired by the day's story.45 Minutes of Open Play
Stay, explore, and connect. Families are invited to enjoy Playcrafter Kids' thoughtfully designed play space invitations while children build friendships, practice independence, and continue imaginative play.
Why StoryMaker Magic?
Young children learn best through play. Our classes naturally support:
• Early literacy and language development
• Social-emotional learning
• Creative confidence
• Gross and fine motor development
• Music and rhythm
• Problem solving
• Collaboration
• Imagination
Perhaps most importantly, StoryMaker Magic gives children and caregivers an opportunity to create joyful memories together while becoming part of a welcoming community.
Every story invites children to wonder, "What if...?"
Every class reminds them, "Your ideas matter."
Fall StoryMaker Magic Series
Each four-week session explores a brand-new imaginative world while introducing original songs, stories, theater games, creative expression, and playful adventures.
Session 2: We Are Adventurers!
Grab your imagination and pack your courage! We'll hike enchanted trails, sail imaginary seas, meet friendly creatures, solve playful challenges, and discover that every adventure is better with friends.
Class Details
♥️ Date: Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15 & 22
🧡 Time: 9:30-11:00AM
💛 Location: Playcrafter Kids (1815 Yorktown Ave., FoCo. Located inside the Foothills Unitarian Church)
💚 Ages 2 - 5
💙 $125 per four-week session
💜 Caregiver participation required
Younger and older siblings are always welcome to attend at a discounted rate.
Additional child - use code SIBLING for 20%
Join us as we laugh, imagine, create, and discover the extraordinary stories waiting inside every child. Because every great adventure begins with "Once upon a time…"
Partial scholarships are available—contact Deanna at info@playcrafterkids.com for details or to combine discounts. Spaces fill up fast, so secure your spot in StoryMaker Magic today!
An enrollment form will be sent after registering.
Note: The 2-month plan will have a $5 administration fee on the next invoice.
StoryMaker Magic: Community Play Classes @ Playcrafter Kids
Ages 2-5 with a Caregiver
Where stories come to life & imaginations grow!
Step through the storybook and into a world where dragons might become dance partners, raindrops can sing, forests whisper secrets, and every child has an important role to play.
StoryMaker Magic is Playcrafter Kids' signature early childhood theater experience, lovingly created and taught by Deanna Mae, educator, children's author, and founder of Playcrafter Kids. For more than 11 years, Deanna has been refining this play-based approach to help young children build confidence, creativity, language, and social-emotional skills through the magic of imaginative play.
Each 90-minute class is intentionally designed to nurture both children and caregivers through joyful shared experiences.
Every class includes:
30 Minutes of Interactive Theater
Become part of an original StoryMaker adventure filled with characters, movement, music, dramatic play, puppets, and imaginative storytelling. Children won't just listen to the story... they'll help create it.15 Minutes of Creative Art
Continue the adventure with a process-based art invitation inspired by the day's story.45 Minutes of Open Play
Stay, explore, and connect. Families are invited to enjoy Playcrafter Kids' thoughtfully designed play space invitations while children build friendships, practice independence, and continue imaginative play.
Why StoryMaker Magic?
Young children learn best through play. Our classes naturally support:
• Early literacy and language development
• Social-emotional learning
• Creative confidence
• Gross and fine motor development
• Music and rhythm
• Problem solving
• Collaboration
• Imagination
Perhaps most importantly, StoryMaker Magic gives children and caregivers an opportunity to create joyful memories together while becoming part of a welcoming community.
Every story invites children to wonder, "What if...?"
Every class reminds them, "Your ideas matter."
Fall StoryMaker Magic Series
Each four-week session explores a brand-new imaginative world while introducing original songs, stories, theater games, creative expression, and playful adventures.
Session 3: We Are Creators!
Children will become inventors, artists, builders, storytellers, and creators as they discover that the most magical things often begin with a simple idea.
Class Details
♥️ Date: Thursdays, October 29; November 5, 12 & 19
🧡 Time: 9:30-11:00AM
💛 Location: Playcrafter Kids (1815 Yorktown Ave., FoCo. Located inside the Foothills Unitarian Church)
💚 Ages 2 - 5
💙 $125 per four-week session
💜 Caregiver participation required
Younger and older siblings are always welcome to attend at a discounted rate.
Additional child - use code SIBLING for 20%
Join us as we laugh, imagine, create, and discover the extraordinary stories waiting inside every child. Because every great adventure begins with "Once upon a time…"
Partial scholarships are available—contact Deanna at info@playcrafterkids.com for details or to combine discounts. Spaces fill up fast, so secure your spot in StoryMaker Magic today!
An enrollment form will be sent after registering.
Note: The 2-month plan will have a $5 administration fee on the next invoice.
What Our Families Are Saying
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![A woman reading a picture book to a seated group of young children in a circle at a classroom or library setting.]()
“My daughter loved Playcrafter Kids camp. It provided a great blend of music and art and helped further develop her social skills. She came home excited every day singing a new song.”
Liz
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![A woman reading a children's book to a group of kids seated on mats in a classroom or activity room.]()
"Both of my kids, ages 5 and 3, loved this experience so much! They looked forward to attending every day and were both sad to see it end. Deanna is just amazing with all ages, and brings joy and magic to everything she does. We will definitely be repeat customers!"
Maggie
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![A man with a beard, wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt, gray shorts, and sandals, is performing a puppet show on a small stage for a group of children sitting on the floor. The children are watching attentively, with one child lying on the floor. A woman is sitting with the children, smiling. The room has wooden floors, beige walls with teal accents, a ceiling fan, and some open doors in the background.]()
My daughter LOVES the singing and books and crafting during the camps-but she mostly loves her time with Deanna. She seems to make everything fun!
Shawna
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![A woman reads a children's book titled 'We Are in a Book!' to a group of young children sitting and lying on the carpeted floor of a classroom or library. The room has a large window showing a display of colorful books outside.]()
“I wanted to extend my gratitude for you all and your program. My daughter participated in the Piggy & Elephant camp and had a blast. I grew up doing local theatre and am grateful my girls will have a similar experience. Theater has so many benefits and for that, I appreciate what fantastic work you’ve done.”
Deana
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![Children participating in a yoga class, sitting on purple mats in a circle with an instructor guiding them. The room has colorful wall decorations and large windows with posters.]()
“My daughter LOVES Playcrafter Kids! The programs are fun, engaging, and educational. The summer camps were a perfect preparation for Pre-K and she did wonderful with the transition. Deanna has a “magic” about her and she is so talented. We look forward to attending more Playcrafter Kids events...they are awesome!”
Chantel
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![Group of children performing a silly pose on a stage in front of a large screen and brick wall]()
"Deanna and her team crafted a unique and fun experience for my son. He is usually quite shy, but by the end of camp, he laughed and played with everyone! It really brought out the best in him."
Andrea
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![Children performing a theatrical skit or dance on stage, dressed in costumes like animals, animals with hats, and colorful outfits, with some wearing animal-themed headbands or hats, in front of a black curtain backdrop.]()
B loved The Claw camp. Weeks later she is still singing the songs, as is her 4-year old sister who picked up on them. The team was very engaging with the kids and their enthusiasm and support stands out for sure. Very welcoming and encouraging to all of the kids. And the performance was spectacular! Definitely signing up for next year!
Allison
$25 Demo Lesson
Curious if StoryMaker Magic! is right for your children?
Schedule a 30-minute demo adventure today.
Fill out the form below or call (970) 286-0639 to schedule!
