My First Discoveries · Drawing 35 of 40
A Shadow Theatre
Everyday Discoveries
The cardboard rabbit blocks light from the flashlight. A shadow appears on the wall behind the rabbit.
Did you know?
The shadow’s size changes when the cardboard moves between the flashlight and wall.
Look together
Find the flashlight, cardboard rabbit and its shadow. Colour the shadow darker than the wall.
An idea to try
Draw another shape for your shadow theatre.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
The order is light source, opaque object, then wall. The shadow is outlined so the child can fill it in. Reduce background light for the experiment and change only the cardboard’s position. Shadow size depends on the distances. The rabbit outline is simplified; the scene does not show drawn light rays.
With an adult, move a cardboard shape between a flashlight and a wall. Watch how its shadow changes.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Illustrations simplify shapes and sizes. Models and enlargements help observation; choose your own colours.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Science World: Light and ShadowsConnect an opaque object, a light source and its shadow.
Source review: 2026-10-03. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
