Fun Shadow Drawing Ideas for Kids

Shadow drawing is such an easy set up activity for summer, to keep kids entertained and creative during the long hot days. With this activity, the sun becomes your partner in art!

On a bright sunny day, grab a piece of paper, or hey, why not a whole roll of it, and let’s make the sidewalk your canvas. This is not just a fun activity; it’s a sun-drenched adventure that beckons kids of all ages to play with light and shadows in a way that’s creative and new, and introduces hands on learning on the topic of light and shadows, meaning this is technically a science activity too!

The next time you’re outside with the kiddos, the sun’s beaming down, casting shadows of different shapes and sizes all around, give this shadow drawing idea a try.

all you need to do is lay a flat surface on the ground—maybe it’s a big sheet of paper or a side of cardboard—and the kids get to work with pencils or sidewalk chalk in hand, tracing the dark areas into what we call shadow tracings.

How to Create Your Own Shadow Drawings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Supplies You’ll Need for Shadow Drawing

A sunny day (essential for those crisp shadows!)
Large sheets of paper or a roll of butcher paper
Pencil, sidewalk chalk or markers
A selection of toys with distinctive shapes (dinosaurs are a fantastic start!)
Optionally, a camera to capture the process and final art

Step 1: Find the Perfect Spot

Choose a sunny spot where the sun is shining directly down, so you can get clear, distinct shadows in the direct sunlight. This could be a driveway, a sidewalk, or any flat, safe area outside, or even inside if you have the right natural light coming from your windows.

Step 2: Set Up Your Canvas

Lay your sheet of paper on a flat surface where you can clearly see the shadows. Secure the corners to prevent it from flying away with a gentle breeze.

Step 3: Arrange Your Subjects

Position the toys or objects on the edge of the paper so that they cast a shadow onto the drawing surface. Experiment with placement to get the most interesting shadows.

Step 4: Trace the Shadows

Have the kids trace around the cast shadow of each toy with their pencil, chalk or markers, capturing the unique shapes.

Remind them that shadows can change quickly, so they’ll want to work with a bit of speed.

Step 5: Add Details and Colors

Once the shadow shapes are down, it’s time to get creative! Fill in the tracings with different colors, add details, or even turn the shapes into something entirely new.

Step 6: Enjoy and Capture

Step back and admire your artwork. Make any final touches and don’t forget to take pictures of your creations—these are memories and masterpieces worth keeping!

Objects to Try for Shadow Drawing

Toy dinosaurs are perfect for this activity. They make for some really interesting shadows. Those spiky backs and long necks create a distinct area of darkness that’s just begging to be outlined.

But let’s not stop there! Encourage your young artist to explore with different materials. Anything opaque that can cast a shadow is fair game—the more unique, the better. Watch as dinosaurs, action figures, or even their own little hands become the stars of their shadow art.

The options are really endless, and there’s some valuable learning involved in discovering which objects work better, and thinking about why.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Action figures with dynamic poses
Toy animals like elephants, giraffes and others with distinctive shapes
Plants or leaves with intricate patterns
Kitchen utensils with unique outlines
Hands in different positions to make shadow puppets
Bicycles or scooters for complex shadows for a large scale drawing – sidewalk chalk directly onto the floor is best for this one.
Shaped pop it toys
Anything else with a fun shape!

This isn’t about drawing a straight line or a perfect circle. This shadow drawing art activity is about embracing those soft light and dark tones to create a shadow picture that has a way of its own. You’ll marvel at how the shadow shapes evolve as the light’s path changes. It’s a great way to teach how light works and how light travels while the little ones are having a blast.

As the time of day shifts, notice how the shadows stretch and twist, offering a variety of shadow colors and tones to explore. A single light source, our mighty sun, will challenge the kids to capture the different ways light and shadow play together. From the darkest part under a T-Rex’s chin to the softer edges where the light just barely misses, it’s a simple art activity that also sneakily boosts fine motor skills.

Playing with hard and soft light on hard surfaces opens up a conversation about reflected light and why certain areas seem brighter than others. Did you know that even the dark areas have different tones? Yep, it’s all about how the light works with what’s blocking it.

The Simple Science Behind Shadow Art

Let’s shed some light on the science that makes shadow art so captivating! When an object blocks light, it casts a shadow—a dark shape on a surface that mirrors the object’s outline. This happens because light travels in a straight line until an opaque object interrupts its path, leaving a “shadow” in the area where the light can’t reach. The size and shape of the shadow can change depending on the object’s distance from the light source and the angle of the light. In shadow art, we harness the sun’s rays, the ultimate light source, to explore and create with these principles in real-time. It’s a playful way to interact with some of the fundamental behaviors of light, all while fostering creativity in the open air.

So, the next time the sun is high and the outdoors are calling, remember that this good idea isn’t just about the end result. It’s about watching your kids make art in different ways and seeing their amazement at how their own shadow can become a masterpiece.

Ready to give it a try? Set out on your own sunny quest for shadow art, and let’s see what incredible creations you and your kids can dream up with just a few toys, a bit of light, and a whole lot of imagination.

Dinosaur shadows today, who knows what tomorrow? The sky (and the ground) is the limit!

More Sun and Shadow Art Activities for Kids

Looking for even more ways to play with shadows and light? Check out our selection of sun and shadow art activities that are perfect for young explorers.

From science experiments to full-blown art projects, we’ve compiled a list of ideas that will not only entertain but also educate. The interplay of light and shadows allows you to discover endless possibilities.