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    Home » Shadow Experiments and Activities for Kids

    Shadow Experiments and Activities for Kids

    August 20, 2016 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

    Sunny summer days are a great time to experiment with shadows. I’ve put together a fun list of shadow activity ideas with ( hopefully ) something to appeal to kids of all ages.

    What is a shadow?

    For a shadow to be formed an object must block light. The object must be opaque or translucent to make a shadow. A transparent object will not make any shadow, as light passes straight through transparent objects.

    Transparent Materials

    Transparent materials let light pass through them in straight lines, so that you can see clearly through them.

    Translucent Materials

    Translucent materials let some light through, but scatter the light in different directions. We can not see clearly through translucent materials.

    Opaque Materials

    Opaque materials do not let any light pass through them.

    Shadow Experiments for Kids

    Shadow Frame

    Make a shadow frame using cardboard and contact paper. This is great for experimenting with different shapes and types of materials. Try translucent and opaque materials to investigate how the colour of the shadow changes.

    Shadow frame made with cardboard and contact paper. Easy shadow experiment for kids

    Draw Shadows

    Use building blocks to make shapes you can draw around. How does the shadow change if you rotate the block? Is the shadow different at different times of day?

    Draw shadows using blocks outdoors.

    Can you make some 3D shapes shadows to draw?

    3D shadow shapes to draw.

    We love this use of colour blocks for shadows from Stimulating Learning and this huge version from Play at Home Mom LLC.

    Rhythms of Play painted inside their shadows and they look amazing!

    painting shadows

    Sundial Experiment

    This human sundial experiment is a great idea too. You could use the same idea to make a smaller version using a LEGO tower on white paper.

    Another idea similar to making a sundial is to follow a shadow through the day watching how the size and shape of a shadow formed the same object changes!

    Shadow Puppet Theatre

    Build a shadow puppet theatre like Inner Child Fun, this would be great for linking shadows to literacy work.

    Shadow Experiments – Shadow People

    Try building people or animals with pipe cleaners, it was quite a challenge to get ours to stand up. Can you make one shadow twice as tall as another?

    shadow people

    Shadow Experiments – Shadow Sculptures

    The Artful Parent has some brilliant shadow sculptures, it could be quite fun to use the same idea but make chemical structures and draw the shadows too.

    shadow scupltures

    Shadow Puppets

    Childhood 101 has some brilliant Star Wars shadow puppets.

    We love these Gruffalo’s Child shadow puppets too.

    Gruffalo Mouse Shadow Puppet

    You could also try some Christmas or other holiday themed shadow puppets. We made a big Christmas tree shadow puppet and then smaller puppets for the decorations.

    Christmas shadow puppets

    More Shadow Experiments

    Can you experiment with shadows at different times of day? You should find that the Sun makes the longest shadows at the beginning and end of the day, when the Sun is lowest in the sky and the shortest shadows at midday, when it’s highest in the sky.

    Suitable for Early Years Foundation Stage

    Suitable for Key Stage 2 Science

    Light

    Can you think of any more shadow activities for us?

    Easy shadow activities and shadow experiments for kids #shadows #springscience #shadowexperiments #shadowsmadeeasy #simplescienceexperiments

    Last Updated on June 21, 2022 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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen Hannah

      August 20, 2016 at 7:57 pm

      I love these ideas! I think my boys would enjoy painting their own shadows in particular 🙂

      Reply
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    3. juliette schnatz

      March 01, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      I love your guyses ideas but you need to get older kid things on this websites.

      Reply

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