Shadow shapes

Make shadows bigger, smaller – even shadow puppets!

A boy and his bicycle make shadows on a fence.

Same shape outline

A shadow has the same outline as the object. But it has no colours or details – it is just dark.

The shadow shows the outline of the bicycle, even the round wheels.

Bigger and smaller

Move an object closer to the torch – the shadow gets bigger. Move it away from the torch – the shadow gets smaller. The distance changes the size.

A bigger shadow does not mean the object is bigger – it is just closer to the light.

Turning the object

Turn a book sideways and its shadow becomes thin. Turn it to face the light and the shadow is wide.

Turn an object and its shadow changes shape.

Shadow puppets

Shadow puppets are cut from card. A light behind them throws their shadows onto a screen. People have told stories with shadow puppets for hundreds of years.

The puppets are made of leather or card with holes cut in them, so light shines through in patterns.

What I learnt

I know that a shadow has the same outline as the object.
I know that a shadow gets bigger when the object moves closer to the light.