Activities: Drawing Shadow People

Make life-size shadow sketches on the wall.

Submitted by
Kayla Chong

Tape a big piece of paper on the living room wall and take turns with the kids tracing each other's shadows. This is a great activity for Groundhog Day. Why should Punxsutawney Phil have all the fun?

You and your kid:
You'll need at least two people for this activity. Three is even better, so tell Dad to put down the remote and step away from the football game.
A big piece of paper:
Butcher paper, leftover wrapping paper or a bunch of pieces of printer paper.
A thick marker:
You may want to use something washable in case your little Picasso misses the paper and scribbles on the walls (by accident, of course!).
Masking tape
A big flashlight:
You'll need something strong enough to cast a shadow on the wall.
Embellishments:
Like colored yarn (for hair), glitter, markers, more paper, ribbon, felt, etc.

Tape a big piece of paper to the wall. You can recycle pieces of wrapping paper or printer paper and tape them together collage-style to make a large palate, or just tape up a single sheet of butcher paper if you have it.
Turn on a flashlight and either have someone hold it (if you have three or more people playing) or prop it up on a chair or bookshelf.
Have your kid stand between the beam of light and the wall. He should stand about two or three feet in front of the wall to make a distinct shadow. If he stands too far away, you'll just see a big blurry blob.
Trace his shadow on the paper with a marker.
When you're finished, pull down the paper and have your kid decorate his shadow. He can add yarn for hair, a felt or paper T-shirt or sketch on a face.
Then swap. You stand in front of the flashlight and have Junior sketch you. Tell him he doesn't have to be totally accurate with every little bulge and bump. You don't need a massive sketch of your "mommy tummy" on the living room wall, thank you!
If he's really happy with his creation, let him hang it on his bedroom door or have him make a few more so he can tape a whole "entourage" on his wall. Maybe you'll want to make a life-size Adrian Grenier for you're bedroom wall, while you're at it?