Shadow drawing fun for kids

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

1. Pick your spot
   Choose a sunny spot where the shadows are nice and sharp.
2. 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.
3. Trace the shadow
   Carefully trace around the shadow outline. For younger kids, chunky crayons or thick pencils are easier to handle.
4. 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!
5. 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!