Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Toy shadow outlines
Trace a toy's shadow and compare it after the toy moves.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A large age-appropriate toy, paper, and a large child-appropriate crayon.
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 places the paper and toy on a stable table in sunlight so the toy casts a shadow onto the paper.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child, help position the toy, and trace if requested.
Let's make it happen
- Look at the toy's shadow on the paper and trace around its edge.
- Move or turn the toy and trace its new shadow with another color.
- Compare the two outlines and add a background to the picture.
Make it simpler: Point to the shadow while the adult draws around it.
Clean up: Put away the toy and crayon. Save or recycle the drawing.
Never look directly at the sun. Choose a safe, stable play surface and a toy without loose small parts.