Sun and Shadows

After a few rainy days, the sun is out, the sky is cloudless (for now), and the buds on shrubs and trees are opening into flowers and leaves. Two rabbits were hopping through the backyard this morning and my husband was lucky enough to catch sight of a coyote in the forest behind where he works. It turns out the coyote was snuffling around for the rabbit that revealed itself – and then got away (at top speed) from the predator.

I’m listening to birds singing, but it is harder to see them in the interplay of light and shadow up in the trees. Now it will be safe for them to start building nests that will be shielded by leafy shadows.

On a sunny day, take your kids outside and with chalk, trace their shadows on the driveway. Repeat thirty minutes later, and thirty minutes after that. For fun comparisons, the first time, trace around their feet and then trace the shadow. Every time after that, kids stand in their footprints before you trace their shadow. Even if kids are old enough to understand that the position of the sun in the sky alters the shape of shadows over the day, this is a fun activity.

After tracing three or four silhouettes, kids can color in the images, changing the color chalk they are using each time they have to cross a line – the end result is colorful and crazy, sort of like the child has become tie-dyed.

For more fun ideas, check out Shadow Art and Shadow Activities for Kids.