Shadow Play Science

Materials:
flashlight
random objects or toys
a blank wall

Play ideas:
Let your imagination run wild with this activity.  Shine the flashlight on the wall and place a toy in between the flashlight and the wall.  Point out the shadow to your little one.

Aiden got so excited to see the shadow shapes on the wall.

We made shadows with our hands and feet, stuffed animals, shapes, toy cars, and toy horses.  We observed the silhouettes of our bodies.  We used big toys and small toys.  Aiden liked to make the stuffed animals dance.  You can also try shadow dancing with your little one yourself.

Hold a toy far away from the light (it will be small).

Bring the toy close to the light and watch it get bigger.

Questions to ask:

• What makes a shadow?  {When something blocks the light, a shadow in the shape of the object is made.}
• What happens when we bring something closer to the flashlight?  {The shadow gets bigger.}
• What shape is on the wall?

After having loads of fun playing and learning about shadows, we played hide and seek in the dark.  Patrick and I took turns hiding while Aiden looked for us with the flashlight.  We were still honing our science skills during the hide and seek festivities. We made observations and used our reasoning skills in order to search for someone.

Go grab a flashlight and have some fun.
Throw in some science learning while you’re at it!