DIY Fun: Shadow People

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*Andrew “strongly recommended” that I change Adventure Day to DIY Fun, as this better captures the content of these posts… so I begrudgingly oblige.*

This morning’s adventure DIY fun is a lot less complicated than the last two. I know that some days you need a last minute idea to occupy the littles that involves very little planning and even fewer materials.

Materials Needed:

  • Sidewalk chalk
  • A sunny day
  • Wide open space
Seriously. That’s all you need.
Step One: Have your child (or children) stand very still while you trace the outline of his/her shadow on the ground.

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Hint: It’s way cooler if you do this in the evening when shadows are long. Your kids will be amazed by how much taller their shadow people are. How can this be?!

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Step Two: Encourage your child to decorate his shadow person however he would like. A shadow person is a very magical thing indeed.

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A close-up of shadow person hair

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Step 3: Try some props! Milo chose bunny ears for his next shadow person:DSC_0073

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… who ended up looking mighty… bonded?

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Step Four: Get the neighborhood kids involved for a whole shadow people party!

Something else to try? If you have access to a wide open space all day, try going out at different times of the day to draw your shadow people and compare sizes and shapes. This can facilitate a great discussion about the movement of the sun and how shadows work! I actually have a plastic baggie full of sidewalk chalk in my purse for random shadow people parties at the playground. It is a huge hit with kids of all ages and a great way to get a playground full of kids to interact with each other when they wouldn’t have otherwise. Have fun!

7 thoughts on “DIY Fun: Shadow People”
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  1. Seriously! I want to play the shadow people game! When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do in the summer was to play and draw with sidewalk chalk. Can’t wait till Alice is a bit older so we can do it together. 🙂

  2. This is really very cool! Can you imagine being another parent (or child) coming upon this by accident? What a great surprise! Now, someone should trace you, Lauren, with the camera in your hands, you ‘Creative Momma’!

  3. These pictures are the best. I love sidewalk chalk… Wyatt kind of draws with it but doesn’t really get it yet (and wants to throw and eat the chalk). Can’t wait until he’s old enough for us to enjoy this fun activity.

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