Lost Property
When the lights go out, the lost property box comes alive... and everything in it is trying to get home.
A comedy (with a fly called Kevin, a recorder that only knows one note and a chorus of nameless jumpers) that is also a play about belonging. Audiences laugh a lot and, usually, reach for a tissue near the end.
Print-ready PDF (41 pages) · Instant download from The Teacher Vault store on Gumroad
Synopsis
Scene 1 – Monday: The Notice
Mr Crumble the caretaker pins up a notice: everything not collected by Friday will be cleared out. When the lights go off, the items wake up and Pencil Case calls the Lost Property Society to order.
Scene 2 – Tuesday: Operation Trainer
Lefty the Single Trainer tries to find his brother (and ends up head-first in a mop bucket). Then Scarf tells her story: she was knitted by Nana Pearl, with a wish in every stitch.
Scene 3 – Wednesday: The Bear in the Book Corner
The items find Teddy, smuggled into school by Poppy, a new girl who was scared in her first week. No one gets left behind.
Scene 4 – Thursday: The Great Parade
With one night left, the items march to the hall to line up on the stage, freezing every time Mr Crumble's torch sweeps past.
Scenes 5–6 – Friday: The Clear-Out
Mr Crumble picks up Teddy and remembers being new at school himself. In assembly every item is reunited with its owner, and the cast sing "Where We Belong".
What's Included
- Teacher's introduction and how to use the pack
- Synopsis
- Themes, curriculum links, discussion questions and follow-up activities
- Character backstories
- Cast list & casting guide with line counts
- The full script (6 scenes)
- Year 6 leavers' version: alternative Scene 6 and final verse
- Photocopiable song lyric sheets
- Costume ideas, props, staging & sound effects
- Rehearsal planner
The Songs
- Who Forgot Me? (tune: Frère Jacques, can be sung as a round)
- Every Stitch (tune: Lavender's Blue)
- Hush Now, Poppy (tune: Hush, Little Baby)
- Ten Lost Things (tune: Ten Green Bottles)
- Where We Belong (tune: Skip to My Lou)
6 scenes, plus an alternative leavers' Scene 6. All characters, story, dialogue and lyrics are original, written in British English.
Themes & Curriculum Links
PSHE & Relationships Education
Families come in different forms; caring friendships; helping someone who feels lonely or left out; strategies for managing change, such as starting a new school or moving to secondary school.
English: spoken language & drama
Performances, role play, improvisation and debate (Years 3–6); preparing play scripts to read aloud and perform; character.
Year 6 transition
The alternative leavers' Scene 6 and final verse, with space to add children's own memories.
Characters
- Pencil Case – Calls the Lost Property Society to order and drives the plot.
- Lefty (Single Trainer) – A big comic role with hopping and slapstick, looking for his brother Righty.
- Scarf – Knitted by Nana Pearl; a heartfelt monologue and solo song.
- Lunchbox – Comedy then a moving speech (and a fly called Kevin).
- Teddy (Mr Buttons) – Smuggled into school by Poppy; a gentle solo song.
- Small item parts – Water Bottle, Glove, Recorder, Goggles, PE Shorts, two Odd Socks and the Jumpers.
- The grown-ups – Mr Crumble the caretaker and Mrs Adebayo the headteacher.
- The owners & groups – Arlo, Jaz, Kofi, Poppy, Pupils 1–4, Narrators 1–4, more Jumpers and the Children.
There are 29 named roles, many with small parts, plus flexible groups (Jumpers, Odd Socks, Children) that can include as many performers as you like, so it works for 20 to 32+ children. Younger casts can share longer speeches.
Script Sample: The Opening Scene
Here's how the play begins, so you can get a feel for the length of the lines and the humour.
A school corridor after home time. Centre stage: a big cardboard box labelled LOST PROPERTY, overflowing. The ITEMS are frozen in and around it.
MR CRUMBLE enters pushing a mop and bucket, whistling. He stops by the box and sighs.
MR CRUMBLELook at you. Overflowing again. Jumpers. Gloves. A recorder. (He picks up RECORDER, sniffs it and recoils.) Ugh. Somebody's been eating cheese and onion.
He takes a notice from his pocket and pins it up, reading it aloud.
MR CRUMBLE"NOTICE. All lost property not collected by FRIDAY will be cleared out. Signed, Mr Crumble, Caretaker." (He pats the box.) Sorry, old friends. Rules is rules.
He switches off the light. SFX: CLICK. He exits. Moonlight. A clock ticks.
NARRATOR 1Every school has one.
NARRATOR 2A big box, in a dusty corner, full of things nobody came back for.
NARRATOR 3Jumpers with no names. Gloves with no partners. Lunchboxes with... surprises inside.
Sample from Scene 1. The full script, songs and teacher notes are in the pack.
Common Questions
How many children can take part?
There are 29 named roles, many with small parts, plus flexible groups (Jumpers, Odd Socks, Children) that can include as many performers as you like, so it works for 20 to 32+ children. Younger casts can share longer speeches.
Do we need sheet music or backing tracks?
No. Every song is set to a well-known traditional tune or a simple chant, so a confident adult voice, a piano or a guitar is all you need. Photocopiable lyric sheets are included.
What format is the pack?
A print-ready PDF (41 pages), delivered instantly by Gumroad after purchase. Print as many copies as your school needs.
Does it work as a Year 6 leavers' play?
Yes. An alternative Scene 6 and a new final verse are included, in which the items realise their owners are leaving for good and find a way to say goodbye. There is space to add the children's own memories.
Is there a discount for buying more than one play?
Yes. The bundle of all five original School Plays is £29.99, instead of £49.95 for the five packs bought separately.
All 5 Original Plays Bundle — £29.99
Get all five of our original plays in one download: The Odd Sock, The Moon Who Was Scared of the Dark, Bin Day Rebellion!, Lost Property and Unit 7 Wants a Birthday. That's a play for every year group from Reception to Year 6 for less than the price of three single packs (worth £49.95).
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