Hand Shadows

Materials

• An LED light
• A white wall or large sheet of white paper

How to play

1. An adult places an LED light stably and aims it at a white wall. Do not stare into the light. Keep walking routes lit.
2. Take turns placing hands between light and wall. Spread fingers or overlap hands to make shadows. Others say what the shapes suggest.
3. For example, overlap the thumbs and spread the hands as wings, moving fingers like a bird. Invent names for shapes that differ from the model too.
4. Move hands nearer the wall or light to explore changes in size and sharpness. Only one person changes position at a time.
5. After everyone has shown one shape, invite two volunteers to create and present a short shadow story. Switch off and put away the light.

Ways to adapt

Preschool children: move shadows. Younger primary school children: imagine what shapes represent. Older primary school children: create a two-person scene.

Sources and references

• 甲賀市 子ども情報局 指影絵 ↗