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In Central Park, a group of hardworking ants prepares for winter. But when three pampered ants prefer “ant-icures” to collecting food, the colony faces trouble. Through determination, community, and a little tough love, these ants learn that survival takes more than style—it takes teamwork. “All for One, and Ant for All!” is a heartwarming play about responsibility, unity, and the joy of shared effort.
CHARACTERS:
MAGGIE
ALICE
EMMA
LOUISE
MARY
CARRIE
BERRY
MARY’S FATHER
BERRY’S FATHER
CARRIE’S MOTHER
SCRIPT:
ACT I – CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY
(Three small red ants – Maggie, Alice, and Emma – sleep in their cozy ant hole. The cheerful tune of “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra plays briefly. Music fades. Louise walks in, ringing a small golden bell.)
LOUISE: (ringing bell) Rise and shine, sisters! It’s a perfect day to gather food for winter!
(Maggie, Alice, and Emma stretch and stand.)
MAGGIE: Good morning, everyone!
ALICE: There’s so much to do. Let’s get going!
EMMA: I’ll stay home to sweep, clean, and cook today. You’ll need a hot meal when you return.
LOUISE: That’s the spirit! See you soon.
(Louise, Maggie, and Alice wave and exit. Emma stays behind.)
EMMA: Don’t be late—soup gets grumpy when it’s cold!
LOUISE, MAGGIE, ALICE: (laughing) We won’t!
(The three ants begin their trek through Central Park.)
MAGGIE: We need every ant to help. Food doesn’t gather itself!
ALICE: The Queen said this winter will be harsh. No ant can slack off.
LOUISE: But we’re strong, smart, and dedicated!
(They spot Mary, Carrie, and Berry lounging under a tree, sipping soda and scrolling through tiny phones.)
LOUISE: Girls! What are you doing just lying there?
MARY: Louise! You startled us.
CARRIE: Yeah. Chill out.
LOUISE: You’re supposed to be gathering food!
CARRIE: I’m the Queen’s daughter—I don’t do dirt.
BERRY: Me either. It’s hot, dusty, and I just had my antenna waxed.
LOUISE: We all come from royalty! That doesn’t mean we get to be lazy.
MARY: Well, I refuse to sweat and ruin my makeup. Every year, it’s the same thing—work, work, work. Boring!
CARRIE: We’re heading to the mall for ant-icures!
BERRY: And a spa leaf wrap. Byeee!
(The three strut off. Louise watches, frustrated.)
ALICE: They’re impossible!
MAGGIE: They’re also not pulling their weight.
LOUISE: I’m done watching them skip their share. It’s time to speak to their parents.
ACT II – THE ANT HOLE MEETING ROOM
(Louise sits with the girls’ parents around a mushroom table lit by firefly lamps.)
LOUISE: I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have a problem. Your daughters won’t help. And winter is almost here.
BERRY’S FATHER: Berry ignores me every time I bring it up. She thinks food grows on trees!
CARRIE’S MOTHER: Carrie just shops and gossips. She won’t lift a leg.
MARY’S FATHER: Mary wanted to transfer to another colony. I said no. Now she’s pouting.
LOUISE: We need everyone working together. No exceptions.
MARY’S FATHER: You’re right. They’ll report to you tomorrow at dawn.
BERRY’S FATHER: Thank you for speaking up, Louise.
LOUISE: Thank you. Come, I’ll show you how empty the food warehouse still is.
(They exit together.)
ACT III – BACK AT THE PARK
(Louise, Maggie, Alice, and other ants are busy gathering leaves and crumbs. Mary, Carrie, and Berry enter, reluctantly, followed by their parents.)
LOUISE: Welcome back. Ready to pitch in?
MARY: (to her father) Do I have to? Can’t I just decorate the food bins?
MARY’S FATHER: Do your share, Mary. Now.
MAGGIE: We really need you.
ALICE: The more hands, the merrier.
LOUISE: If we all help, there’ll be plenty of food and fun for winter!
CARRIE: I do like hot cocoa and snowball games…
BERRY: And roasted acorns! Okay, I’m in.
BERRY’S FATHER: This is about caring for each other.
CARRIE’S MOTHER: And building a strong community.
LOUISE: Let’s get to work. Together!
MARY, CARRIE, BERRY: Where do we start?
LOUISE: Right here. This spot is full of fresh leaves!
MARY, CARRIE, BERRY: (cheerfully) Let’s do this!
(“New York, New York” starts playing again as they work in harmony.)
ALL: If we can clean it here, we can clean it anywhere… it’s up to us, Ants of New York!
In this cheerful tale, lazy attitudes give way to teamwork and shared joy. With a little push, even the most reluctant workers learn that when everyone lends a hand, the whole colony thrives.
The End
Author: K I D S I N C O
Moral: Working together builds stronger communities.
Explore our full collection of free play scripts for kids, perfect for classroom performances
External Resources:
National Geographic: The Secret Life of Ants
Teamwork Activities for Kids – PBS Kids
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