A good skit requires proper planning. What is the targeted age group? Will it be political, religious, culture related, or just plain goofy? How many characters will there be and does it matter if the genders are set in stone? How long will the skit be and how long will it take to write and rehearse it? These are examples of questions that need to be addressed before starting to help ensure the success of the skit.
People involved in a skit need to be comfortable performing in front a group and perhaps stepping out of their usual comfort zone. It's helpful to choose one person who will act as a leader to help direct activities, and to keep the rest of the participants on task. A teacher or other adult normally assumes the role of leader with younger children. The actors need to work well together, study, understand their roles and learn their lines.
Skits are normally performed in simple settings with the emphasis being on the actors' connection with the audience. Occasionally, props can be added to help make the performance more believable and entertaining for the audience. The selection of props depends on the type of skit, the time available before the skit is to be performed and the availability of the desired props. Only props that closely relate to the theme of the skit should be used.
Makeup is a tool to make characters more believable and easier for the audience to identify with. Eyebrow pencils can be used to accentuate or change the shape of eyebrows to make a character appear happy, sinister or thoughtful. They can also be used to add scars, mustaches, sideburns and beards, although costume stores provide more realistic alternatives. The illusion of wounds can be created with lipstick outlined with white liner or fake blood, also available at costume stores.