Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Flashlight star pattern
Project an invented star pattern and notice how light passes through holes.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A full sheet of dark paper, a hole punch, and a cool battery-powered LED flashlight
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult punches four holes close together in the middle of the paper and puts the punch and loose paper pieces away.
Adult's role: Hold the flashlight and paper, keep the light out of eyes, and leave enough room light to move safely.
Let's make it happen
- Face a plain wall. The adult holds the paper between the flashlight and the wall without touching the light.
- Look for bright spots shining through the holes. Move the paper slowly closer to and farther from the wall and notice what changes.
- Imagine the spots make a picture in the sky and give your invented pattern a name.
Make it simpler: Watch the adult move the paper and point to the bright spots on the wall.
Clean up: Switch off and put away the flashlight, then recycle or save the paper.
Never shine the flashlight into eyes. Adult handles the punch, batteries, and loose paper pieces; keep the route clear and the room partly lit.