Exploring Light With Children- Shadow Puppets

Figment Creative labs, Adventure in a box, shadow puppets, light, teaching kids, steam, stem, early education, learning through play, play matters

I could lecture my students about light and shadow, how shadows are made, about silhouette and shape, teach them about the difference between translucent and opaque … but I believe that hands-on learning is the best way for a child to fully grasp a mysterious concept like light.  So we put on shadow puppet shows and talked about light and shadow.  The kids really got into it we all had a fabulous time doing it.  Some of the kids performed up to five times.

This is an example of many:

What we used as our puppet theatre:

We had built a play house the other day using Antsy Pants Building Set from Target.  I covered the play frame with white wrapping paper from Dollar Tree, leaving the back open.  This gave us the perfect transparent screen. I have used white bed sheets and laundry line in the past, but I found that this worked far better.

Where did I get these fabulous shadow puppets?

Adventure In A Box – They have such amazing cut outs!  We used the Make-a-Fairy Tale Shadow Puppet Set, but you must see all the other sets that they offer!  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!  Click here to see more :Shadow Puppet Options  They are so detailed and beautiful.  They inspire me so.  I want to make our own, but haven’t yet.

Figment Creative labs, Adventure in a box, shadow puppets, light, teaching kids, steam, stem, early education, learning through play, play matters
Adventure In A Box Shadow Puppets

Danielle sat behind the theatre with the performers and shined a flashlight on our screen.  The light from the flashlight traveled in a straight line.  When the children or the puppets interrupted that line, it cast a shadow on the screen.

Figment Creative labs, Adventure in a box, shadow puppets, light, teaching kids, steam, stem, early education, learning through play, antsy pants, play matters

The audience was enthralled by the light and movement, drama and storytelling.  We had some fierce battles between the dragon and the prince. A witch turned a fairy into a beast, a beast fell in love, a fairy saved a kingdom. I believe there was a pumpkin butt in there somewhere …  One of the girls used her alligator stuffed animal she brought to class, as a character in her fairy tale.  We tested what happened when we moved the puppet closer or further from the light, and turned the puppet to it’s side..

Figment Creative labs, Adventure in a box, shadow puppets, light, teaching kids, steam, stem, early education, learning through play, antsy pants, play matters

Figment Creative labs, Adventure in a box, shadow puppets, light, teaching kids, steam, stem, early education, learning through play, play matters

The room was filled with wonder and shadows.  -Figment Creative Labs