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Shadow Puppet Storytellers

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Grades K-230-40 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids figure out why shadows form and change size, then build simple puppets and put on a two minute shadow show. Low mess, high payoff for a first STEAM session.

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Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Prep: 11 minActivity: 30 min1 session~$2/groupOne table or clear floor areaBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather only common or recycled items needed to cut simple animal or character shapes out of cardstock and tape each one to a craft stick to make a puppet. Place the materials beside a simple recording sheet or blank paper, and prepare the Shadow Puppet Storytellers challenge in one working area; no digital device is needed.

Activity

  1. Shine a flashlight on your hand against a wall and predict what shape will appear and what happens if you move your hand closer to the light.
  2. Cut simple animal or character shapes out of cardstock and tape each one to a craft stick to make a puppet.
  3. Test each puppet against the sheet, moving it closer to and farther from the flashlight to observe how the shadow's size and sharpness change.
  4. Put on a short shadow puppet show, inventing an original story that uses at least two of the puppets and one moment where a shadow grows or shrinks on purpose.

Done when: The learner completes Shadow Puppet Storytellers after carrying out this core test: Test each puppet against the sheet, moving it closer to and farther from the flashlight to observe how the shadow's size and sharpness change. The learner then uses that result to complete the final task: Put on a short shadow puppet show, inventing an original story that uses at least two of the puppets and one moment where a shadow grows or shrinks on purpose.

Materials

Flashlight, white pillowcase or bedsheet, cardstock, craft sticks, tape, hole punch

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Shine a flashlight on your hand against a wall and predict what shape will appear and what happens if you move your hand closer to the light.
  2. Cut simple animal or character shapes out of cardstock and tape each one to a craft stick to make a puppet.
  3. Test each puppet against the sheet, moving it closer to and farther from the flashlight to observe how the shadow's size and sharpness change.
  4. Put on a short shadow puppet show, inventing an original story that uses at least two of the puppets and one moment where a shadow grows or shrinks on purpose.

Standards it satisfies

  • NGSS · 1-PS4-2

    Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that objects can be seen only when illuminated.

  • NGSS · 1-PS4-3

    Plan and conduct investigations to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.

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