Shadow Puppet Theatre Activity
Learning Objective: Pupils can create shadow puppets and explain how shadows are formed
About this resource
This engaging KS2 science activity provides everything you need to guide Year 3 pupils in creating their own shadow puppets and understanding the science behind shadow formation. Through hands-on exploration, children will develop their understanding of light and dark, directly supporting the National Curriculum's objectives for light. It's a fantastic way to make learning about shadows both creative and memorable.
Activity Overview
50 minutesPupils learn how shadows are formed, then create shadow puppets and perform a short shadow puppet show, demonstrating their understanding of light, opaque objects, and shadow formation.
Science Input
15 minutesTeach key concepts:
- Light travels in straight lines
- Shadows form when an opaque object blocks light
- The shadow is the same shape as the object
- Moving the object closer to the light makes the shadow bigger
- Moving it further away makes the shadow smaller
Demonstrate with a torch and various objects.
Puppet Making
15 minutes- Design a character on card (keep it simple — clear outline)
- Cut out the character carefully
- Attach to a wooden stick or straw with tape
- Test your puppet with a torch — does it make a clear shadow?
- Make at least 2 characters for your show
Performance
20 minutesSet up a shadow theatre (white sheet stretched over a frame, torch behind).
In pairs, perform a 1-minute shadow puppet show. The audience must identify:
- How are the shadows made?
- What happens when the puppet moves closer to the light?
- Can you make the shadow bigger or smaller?
Differentiation
SEN Support
Pre-cut puppet templates. Paired performance. Simplified science questions.
EAL Support
Visual demonstration of shadow formation. Key vocabulary: shadow, light, opaque, block. Paired work.
Gifted & Talented
Investigate how shadow size changes with distance. Create a graph showing the relationship. Research how shadow puppets are used in Indonesian culture (Wayang).
Key Vocabulary
Assessment Criteria
- Can explain how shadows are formed
- Can create a clear shadow puppet
- Can demonstrate how shadow size changes with distance