What is shadow drawing?
Shadow drawing involves using the sun to cast shadows from objects (like toys or plants) onto paper, then tracing around those shadows with a pencil or crayon.
What you'll need
- A sunny day
- A flat outdoor space (driveway, patio or even indoors near a sunny window)
- Sheets of paper (the bigger the better)
- Pencils, crayons, markers or chalk
- A few fun objects to cast shadows – animal figurines, action figures, flowers, toy dinosaurs etc.
Step-by-step instructions
- Pick your spot
Choose a sunny spot where the shadows are nice and sharp. - Set it up
Place the paper on the ground or a table and position your chosen object so it casts a shadow onto the paper. You may need a bit of tape or a small rock on each corner to stop the paper from flying away. - Trace the shadow
Carefully trace around the shadow outline. For younger kids, chunky crayons or thick pencils are easier to handle. - Get creative
Once the outline is traced, colour it in, turn it into a scene, or add silly details. That dinosaur could be wearing a top hat! - Try it again later
For an extra twist, come back to the same setup later in the day and see how the shadow has moved. It’s a fun way to learn about how the sun moves across the sky.
Why kids (and grown-ups) love it
Shadow drawing isn’t just a great boredom buster – it packs in loads of benefits too:
- Boosts creativity: Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they decorate and transform their traced shapes.
- Develops fine motor skills: Tracing helps improve hand-eye coordination and pencil control.
- Introduces science concepts: It’s a hands-on way to learn about light, angles, time of day, and how shadows are formed.
- Encourages mindfulness: Focusing on tracing and colouring can be calming and satisfying.
- Promotes outdoor play: It’s a great excuse to spend some time in the fresh air.
Tips and tricks
- Try tracing the same object at different times to see how the shape and length of the shadow changes.
- Use chalk to draw on the driveway if you don’t have paper handy.
- Make it a group activity – everyone can bring a toy and compare their shadow masterpieces!
Shadow drawing is a simple way to turn an ordinary afternoon into an art and science adventure. So next time the sun is shining, grab some supplies and head outside – you never know what kind of shadow magic you’ll create!