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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.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

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

Student time: 30 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 11 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One 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.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

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.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

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 mapped

  • 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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