Discover the magic of shadows with this easy shadow art tutorial. The best part is it can be done again and again!
What is Shadow Art?
Shadow art can mean a few different things. It can create shadows on a page with paper or coloring tools (crayons, markers, etc.). Usually, it’s a black sheet of paper cut to look like the shadow of something, like a bird.
In this activity, we create shadow art by capturing the shadows of things outside. We have the shadows land on our paper and use them to create art.
Why Do Shadow Art with Preschoolers
Shadow art is an excellent way for little ones to interact with light and shadows. Their minds will reel with ideas for making the shadows ‘move’ across their papers.
It requires some critical thinking and problem-solving to get the shadows to land on the paper where your little one desires. Shadow art is fun and an excellent science lesson!
To have a bit more control, follow the steps below, but use a desk lamp inside instead of the sun. Your little one will be able to move the lamp and the items (like plastic animals) to understand more deeply how shadows work.
Items Needed
*clipboard
*printer paper
*crayons
*items (either things in nature like flowers or plastic figurines)
How to Make Shadow Art
** Try avoiding doing this right at noon. Because the sun is right overhead, it is a bit harder to get shadows.**
1. Collect your supplies- a clipboard, paper, and crayons.
2. Head outside on a sunny day and find a spot with a few things that will make shadows. Grass, flowers, and toys are a great place to start.
You can do this activity inside if you have a light that you can shine on some toys to create a shadow.
3. Have your preschooler move the clipboard around on the ground until the shadows from the items near them land on their sheet of paper.
4. Using a crayon, trace the shadows of the items.
This may require your little one to move a bit because they will start to block the shadow with their arm at some point, creating a great talking point about how shadows work.
5. Once the shadow is traced, move the clipboard so the shadow hits a different spot on the board. Your little one can try this again with the same or a new item.
6. Talk about how shadows work and that the sun is always on one side and the shadow is always on the other. The item in the middle is what the shadow is of.
7. See if they can make shadows with their own bodies. If they want to turn them into shadow art, use chalk on a paved surface.
8. Take it a step further and try this activity at different times throughout the same day, in the same spot. See how the shadows change shape and size!
Shadow Art for Kids
Encourage your little one to keep exploring the wonderful world of light and shadows. Maybe shadow hand puppets can be next on the list of things to try!