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    Home » Early Years Science » Colourful Shadow Puppets

    Colourful Shadow Puppets

    April 9, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    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

    Colourful Shadow Puppets

    You’ll need:

    Cardboard

    Coloured cellophane

    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
    colourful butterfly shadow puppet

    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

    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.

    Hand shape shadow puppet template
    Collage of shadow puppets to be used for a shadow or light science investigation

    Last Updated on September 29, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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