Stand a toy in the sun and draw around its shadow.
For ages3y - 9y
Time available25 min
Prep2 min
Mess
Noise
YouI will set it up, then step back
A quiet outdoor activity that turns into a science conversation without anyone noticing.
What you need
paper
pencils or chalk
small toys or figures
How to do it
Find a sunny patch of ground or a table in direct sun.
Stand a small toy at the edge of a sheet of paper so its shadow falls across it.
Draw carefully around the shadow.
Move the toy, or wait twenty minutes, and draw the new shadow in a different colour.
Compare the two and talk about why they changed.
Most activity lists ignore the things that actually decide it
Tracing a shadow is precise, slow work that suits children who find free drawing intimidating, because there is a line to follow. Returning later to see the shadow has moved is a first, concrete encounter with the earth turning.
Adapting by age
3 to 4 yearsUse chalk on paving and trace their own shadow instead.
7 to 10 yearsMark the time next to each outline and build a shadow clock through the day.
Keep it safe
Hats and shade breaks if the sun is strong.
Cleanup tip
Chalk washes off with a watering can, which is its own activity.