Shadow puppets are a super easy science activity with endless creative opportunities. My 3 year old loves his Gruffalo’s Child Shadow puppet and my older children like to draw around toys outside on a sunny day.
Setting up a homemade sundial is another fun shadow activity and a great extended investigation.
![colourful shadow puppets made with cardboard and cellophane](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Coloured-Shadow-Puppetsjpeg-1024x768.jpg)
Colourful Shadow Puppets
You’ll need:
Cardboard
Tape
Lolly sticks
Instructions
Cut a shape from the card. This could be anything from a simple circle to a dinosaur.
Carefully ( ask an adult to help ) cut out part of the middle of the shape.
Attach coloured cellophane to cover the gap using tape.
Tape a lolly stick to the bottom of the shape also using tape. This is the handle.
![Child holding a butterfly shadow puppet made with cardboard and coloured cellophane. Cute colourful shadow puppet](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Colourful-butterfly-shadow-puppet-rotated.jpeg)
![colourful butterfly shadow puppet](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Butterfly-Shadow-Puppet.jpeg)
Why do shadows form?
Light travels from its source until it hits an object. When light is blocked a shadow forms.
If you have a transparent object the light will pass through and you won’t see a shadow.
Transparent materials let light pass through them in straight lines. You can see clearly through them. Glass is an example of a transparent object.
Translucent materials let some light through, but scatter the light in different directions. We can not see clearly through translucent materials. A frosted glass window is an example of a translucent material.
Opaque materials do not let any light pass through them.
More shadow activity ideas
Can you create a shadow puppet theatre? Inner Child Fun has a great one.
How many different animal shapes can you make using your hand and simple props?
This shadow frame is lovely too.
![Shadow frame made to learn about shadows](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DSC_5705.jpg)
I also have lots more light experiments for kids.
Do you have anymore colourful shadow puppet ideas for me?
If you want a quick and easy shadow puppet, try this simple shadow puppet template.
![Collage of shadow puppets to be used for a shadow or light science investigation](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Coloured-Shadow-Puppets-pin-683x1024.jpg)
Last Updated on September 29, 2021 by Emma Vanstone
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