The Moon Who Was Scared of the Dark
A gentle winter play about facing fears with friends.
A gentle winter alternative to the nativity for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Short lines, a building 'Bravery Song' and lots of group roles mean every child can take part with confidence.
Print-ready PDF (35 pages) · Instant download from The Teacher Vault store on Gumroad
Synopsis
Scene 1 – Night Falls
On the longest night of the winter, the tired Sun says goodnight. The stars and night animals wait for the Moon… but the Moon is hiding behind the Clouds. The Moon is scared of the dark! Little Mouse can't find the path home, and the animals promise to help.
Scenes 2–3 – Owl and Fox
Wise (and slightly show-off) Owl teaches the Moon to take a big brave breath. Fox claims to be scared of nothing, until a Hedgehog says hello, then shows the Moon how to stand up tall.
Scenes 4–5 – Fireflies and Hedgehogs
The blinking Fireflies tell the Moon that everyone has a little light inside. The shy Hedgehogs curl up small, count to three and then PEEP out.
Scene 6 – The Sleepy Star
A very Sleepy Star reminds the Moon that nobody is ever alone in the sky. When Little Mouse says, "I really need you, Moon," the Moon takes the Star's hand.
Scene 7 – The Moon Glows
Using every bravery idea, the Moon rises high and glows. Little Mouse finds the way home, the Snowflakes dance, and everyone sings a gentle goodnight song.
What's Included
- Teacher's introduction and how to use the pack
- Synopsis and themes & learning links (EYFS and KS1)
- Discussion questions and follow-up activity ideas
- Meet the characters and a flexible cast list for 15–30 children
- The full script (7 scenes)
- Photocopiable song lyric sheets with actions
- Costume ideas, props, staging & set
- Rehearsal planner
The Songs
- Night Is Coming (tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
- The Bravery Song, a building song (tune: Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)
- Little Light (tune: London Bridge Is Falling Down)
- Glow, Moon, Glow (tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
- The Hedgehog chant
7 scenes. All characters, story, dialogue and lyrics are original, written in British English.
Themes & Curriculum Links
PSED
Talking about fears and worries; simple calming strategies (deep breaths, standing tall, counting to three, holding a hand); helping others and accepting help.
Communication & Language
Speaking to an audience with expressive voices, joining in with repeated refrains, and new vocabulary (brave, glow, nocturnal, flicker, frosty, longest night).
Expressive Arts & Design
A cumulative song with actions, imaginative movement (fireflies, hedgehogs, clouds, snowflakes) and making masks and a 'glowing' moon.
Understanding the World & KS1
Day and night, seasons and nocturnal animals; KS1 Science (seasonal changes, animals), KS1 PSHE/RSE and KS1 Music.
Characters
- The Moon (lead) – Scared of the dark! Can be shared by two or three children in matching costumes.
- Narrators 1–3 – Best read by adults or confident readers.
- The Sun – A small part in Scene 1 with a HUGE yawn.
- Owl – Wise and slightly show-off: a good part for a confident speaker.
- Fox – A lively comic part who is 'scared of nothing at all'.
- Little Mouse – Small but important – the reason the Moon finally rises.
- Fireflies & Hedgehogs – Group roles with a few speaking parts and group lines.
- Sleepy Star – A wonderful comic part for a child who can do a big yawn!
- Clouds, Stars & Snowflakes – Non-speaking movement and dance roles for anyone who is free.
The cast list shows how to cast for 15, 20, 25 or 30 children. With fewer than 15, use one adult Narrator and small groups; with more than 30, add extra Fireflies, Hedgehogs, Stars and Snowflakes, or night creatures such as Bats or Badgers.
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 frosty winter evening. The Sun stands high up at the back. The Clouds stand together holding up a cloud shape; the Moon is hiding behind it.
NARRATOR 1It was a cold, frosty winter evening. The longest night of the whole year.
NARRATOR 2Up in the sky, the Sun was very, very tired.
SUN(a HUGE yawn) Yaaaaawn! What a long day of shining. I'm off to bed!
NARRATOR 3The Sun stretched…
The Sun stretches. Everybody on stage stretches too.
NARRATOR 3…and yawned…
Everybody yawns. The Narrators invite the audience to yawn too.
SUNGoodnight, everybody! Moon – it's your turn!
The Sun waves and slowly sinks down behind the block, then tiptoes off.
NARRATOR 1And the sky went dark.
Sample from Scene 1. The full script, songs and teacher notes are in the pack.
Common Questions
How many children can take part?
The cast list shows how to cast for 15, 20, 25 or 30 children. With fewer than 15, use one adult Narrator and small groups; with more than 30, add extra Fireflies, Hedgehogs, Stars and Snowflakes, or night creatures such as Bats or Badgers.
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 (35 pages), delivered instantly by Gumroad after purchase. Print as many copies as your school needs.
Can we use it instead of a nativity?
Yes. It is a gentle, non-religious winter play set on the longest night of the year, so it works well as a nativity alternative or alongside one, for a Christmas or end-of-autumn-term performance.
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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