Exploring shadows can help preschoolers understand fundamental concepts about light, shapes, and perspective.
Incorporating shadow activities into early childhood education offers a unique blend of science, art, and storytelling, making learning both fun and impactful.
We’ve collected the most engaging and developmentally appropriate shadow activity ideas designed specifically for young learners.
These shadow activities extend beyond mere play; they are opportunities for hands-on exploration and discovery.
From simple shadow-catching games that introduce basic scientific principles to creative art projects that transform shadows into storytelling tools, these activities harness preschoolers’ fascination with these shapeshifting phenomena.
1. Shadow Puppet Theater
A light source, such as a flashlight or lamp, is placed behind a screen made of thin paper or fabric, while puppets made from cut-out shapes attached to sticks are moved in front of the light.
As the puppets block the light, their shadows appear on the screen, allowing children to create stories through movement.
Learn more: Lesson Plans
2. Cardboard Roll Shadow Puppets
The cardboard roll shadow puppets activity demonstrates how light and shadows interact to create storytelling visuals. Designs are cut into or drawn on tissue rolls, and a light source, such as a flashlight or lamp, is shined through or behind them.
As the light passes through, it casts shadows of the designs onto a surface, creating a simple shadow theater effect.
Learn more: Be The Best Nanny
3. Shadow Stained Glass Craft
A design, such as a butterfly, is cut out from a piece of cardboard, leaving open spaces where colored cellophane is attached. When placed in front of a light source, such as a window or flashlight, the cellophane allows light to pass through, casting colorful shadows onto a surface.
Learn more: The Best Ideas for Kids
4. Shadow Letters in the Sun
A piece of cardboard has words cut out, allowing sunlight to shine through and project the letters onto a surface. When placed in direct sunlight, the cut-out letters appear as shadows on the ground, wall, or paper. This activity reinforces cause and effect by showing how light interacts with solid objects to form shadows.
Learn more: In The Playroom
5. Mixing Colors with Cellophane & Flashlights
The mixing colors with cellophane and flashlights activity demonstrates how light passes through transparent materials to create new colors.
A flashlight or torch is covered with colored cellophane, and different colors are combined by overlapping multiple layers or using multiple flashlights. When shined onto a white surface, the colors blend, forming secondary colors such as green, orange, and blue.
Learn more: Teach Beside Me
6. Stacking Colored Cups for Shadow Fun
The stacking colored cups for shadow fun activity demonstrates how transparent objects affect light and create colorful shadows. Clear plastic cups in different colors are stacked in various combinations, and a flashlight or sunlight shines through them onto a surfac
Learn more: Reggio Kids
7. Shadow Tracing
The shadow tracing with building blocks activity demonstrates how light creates shadows and how their shapes change based on position. Building blocks are arranged on paper in front of a light source, such as sunlight or a flashlight, casting shadows onto the surface. Children trace the outlines of the shadows to create designs that match the block formations.
Learn more: Shadow Sparks
8. Torchlight Shadow Hunt
The shadow sensory adventure activity demonstrates how light interacts with objects to create shadows of different shapes and sizes.
A box is filled with plastic animals, and a flashlight or torch is used to shine light on them, casting shadows onto the inside walls of the box. As the light moves, the shadows change in size and direction, creating a visual effect that encourages observation.
Learn more: A Little Pinch of Perfect
9. Stack & Match Shadow Block Fun
Building blocks are stacked in different formations, and a light source, such as a flashlight or sunlight, is used to cast shadows onto paper. Students observe the shadow shapes and draw their outlines to match the block arrangement.
Learn more: Hands on as We Grow
10. DIY Giant Rainbow Projector
The DIY giant rainbow projector activity demonstrates how light passes through transparent materials to create colorful projections. A large piece of clear plastic or glass is covered with different colors of translucent cellophane and then placed in front of a strong light source such as a flashlight or sunlight. As the light shines through, a vibrant rainbow pattern is projected onto a wall or surface.
Learn more: Hello Wonderful
11. Glowing Ice Paint
A large clear tub is placed above a big tub filled with flashlights, and the top tub is coated with a thin layer of ice paint made from water and food coloring. As children paint on the icy surface, the light from below shines through, making the colors appear to glow.
Learn more: Annie’s Classroom
12. Animal Shadow Matching
The animal shadow matching activity using a shadow activity chart demonstrates how light creates predictable shapes based on object outlines. A chart displays various animal images alongside their corresponding shadow silhouettes.
Learn more: Fluffy Tots
13. Drawing LEGO Shadows
EGO structures are placed on a sheet of paper, and a light source, such as a flashlight or sunlight, casts their shadows onto the surface. Children trace the outlines of the shadows to create drawings that match the LEGO formations.
Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands
14. DIY Flashlight in a Bag
The DIY flashlight in a bag activity demonstrates how light passes through transparent materials to create illuminated effects. A drawing is made on a Ziplock bag using markers, and a sheet of white paper is placed behind it. A flashlight is then inserted between the layers or shined from behind, making the drawing appear to glow.
Learn more: Hello Wonderful
15. Human Sun Dial
The human sundial activity demonstrates how the sun’s position changes throughout the day, affecting the direction and length of shadows. A person stands in the same spot outside at different times, and their shadow is traced on the ground using chalk.
Each tracing is labeled with the corresponding time to show how the shadow shifts as the sun moves across the sky.
Learn more: Teach Beside Me
16. Hand Cutout Shadow Play
The hand cutout shadow play activity demonstrates how light interacts with solid objects to create recognizable shapes. Hand-shaped cutouts are made from cardboard or thick paper and used in front of a flashlight or sunlight to cast shadows on a wall or different surface. Children move the cutouts to create different shadow effects or arrange them to form patterns and scenes.
Learn more: Preschool Steam
17. The Shadow Drawing
The shadow drawing activity demonstrates how light creates silhouettes that can be incorporated into artwork. A person is drawn on paper, and a matching shadow is added beside or behind them to mimic the way light creates real shadows. The shadow can be outlined in black or shaded to reflect the direction of a light source.
Learn more: Superheroes and Princess
18. Easy DIY Butterfly Shadow Puppets
The easy DIY butterfly shadow puppets activity demonstrates how light passes through different materials to create shadows. A butterfly sticker is placed on a tissue paper roll, which is then used in front of a flashlight or sunlight to cast a butterfly-shaped shadow on a wall or surface. Rotating or adjusting the roll changes the shadow’s position and size.
Learn more: Little Sprouts Learning
19. Make Color Blocks for Shadow Activities
The make color blocks for shadow activities demonstrates how light passes through transparent materials to create colorful shadows. Transparent or translucent colored sheets, such as cellophane or plastic blocks, are arranged in different patterns and placed on a window where sunlight shines through.
Learn more: And next comes L
20. Stargazing and DIY Constellation Craft
The stargazing and DIY constellation craft activity demonstrates how patterns of stars form recognizable constellations. A felt paper is used to create a constellation by carefully punching holes in it to match the arrangement of stars in the night sky. When held up to a light source or a flashlight shines through it, the pattern appears as a glowing constellation on a surface.
Learn more: Forks and folly
21. Shadow and Tell
The shadow and tell activity demonstrates how light and shadows can be used for communication and observation. A white curtain is set up, and a light source is placed in front of it. Students go behind the curtain and use their hands, objects, or body movements to create shadows. The other students observe the shadows and guess what is being shown.
Learn more: Instagram/Preschool Vibes
22. Shadow Leaf Drawing
The shadow leaf drawing activity demonstrates how sunlight or artificial light can be used to create outlines for drawing. A leaf is placed on white paper, and a light source is directed at the leaf to cast its shadow onto the paper. Children trace the shadow outline and then add details such as leaf veins and patterns to complete the drawing.
Learn more: Inspire My Play
23. The Shadow Gallery
The shadow gallery activity displays students’ shadow photographs on a bulletin board, showing how light creates unique silhouettes. Each student’s shadow picture is taken by positioning them in front of a light source to cast a clear shadow on a surface. The photos are printed and arranged neatly on the board, with each student’s name placed underneath their shadow image.
Learn more: Pinterest
24. Shadow Play with Painted Hearts
The shadow play with painted hearts activity demonstrates how light interacts with shapes and colors to create shadows. Heart shapes are cut from colored paper and decorated with paint or patterns. These hearts are then placed in front of a flashlight to cast heart-shaped shadows onto a wall or surface.
Learn more: Innovation Kids Lab
25. Light Up the Room!
The light up the room activity demonstrates how a projector can be used to display images and patterns with light. A projector is set up in a dark room, and slides or transparencies with different shapes, letters, or pictures are placed in front of the lens. The projector casts these images onto a wall or screen, filling the room with light and clear visuals.
Learn more: Reggio Kids