Shadows are fascinating to children! They seem to move on their own and constantly change shape and form. Learning how light travels and how shadows form is a fundamental science concept that begins with a child's exploration of how two forces interact with each other. Experimenting with light and shadow allows kids to have fun with science while creating something that will enable them to engage their creative side.
Encourage your eager scientists to build greater scientific knowledge about light energy, how light travels, the sun, and other science topics by equipping them with the right projects, questions and equipment. Shadow experiments are a fun way to help them uncover the science of shadows and light while enjoying outside time. Below are a few of my favorites:
Shadow art: Arm children with chalk and have them trace their shadows at different times of the day. Let them decorate the shadows with chalk or chalk paint. Have them document the time of day they traced each shadow and repeat the activity throughout the seasons of the year.
Shadow blocks: Have children use building blocks to build structures or buildings they can trace. Ask questions such as how does the shadow change if you rotate the structure? Is the shadow different at different times of day? What would you experience if you were inside the structure you built?
Shadow Puppet Theatre: You can use an empty cardboard box with the bottom cut out and replaced with two sheets of white tissue paper held in place with tape. For the actors you can use small toys, dolls, foam stickers, cut out paper dolls... be as creative as you want. Then all you need is a flash light and an audience. For older children, encourage them to write a play in advance to tie in literacy development.