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The Ultimate List of Shadow Experiments for Kids

Try these fun and educational shadow activities to teach children about how shadows work and what you can learn from them using these shadow science experiments for kids!

Shadows are fascinating for kids. They seem to move on their own and many kids have an awe and natural fear of shadows. These shadow experiments will show children there is nothing to be afraid of in the shadows and will help them uncover the science of shadows so they will never be afraid of a shadow again.

Try these fun and educational shadow activities to teach children about how shadows work and what you can learn from them!

You can do these shadow activities any time of year, but Groundhog day and long summer days are two perfect times to try out these shadow STEM activities.

What are Shadow Experiments?

Try these fun and educational shadow activities to teach children about how shadows work and what you can learn from them using these shadow science experiments!

A shadow experiment is a fun way to teach preschool, kindergarten, and first grade kids about shadows. Many early learning science curriculum has a unit on shadows and light.

You can use shadow activities to show kids how light moves and changes throughout the day. This satisfies some of the NGSS first grade standards.

Shadow activities are fun because they can show kids more than just weather science, but also cause and effect, how things change over time, and how things look different in different light levels.

Keep reading to find ideas for how to teach kids about shadows!

shadow experiments

For more fun science activities and STEM projects try our list of kindergarten STEM activities, preschool science experiments, preschool STEM activities, and no-prep STEM activities.

The Ultimate List of STEM Shadow Activities for Kids

Kids will love learning about the science of shadows with these fun shadow activities! These activities teach kids a lot about shadows, the sun, how light moves, and how the earth moves.

elementary stem challenge cards

Try these super-fun shadow experiments with your kids and learn all about the science of shadows! Each section of this list offers shadow science experiments that kids will love in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.

Shadow Activities for Preschoolers

shadow activities

Preschoolers will love these shadow science experiments.

Make your own Spooky Shadow Puppets or make your own puppet shapes!

If your kids love sensory activities, then they will love this Shadow Sensory Play activity!

Did you know that shadows can be colored? Here is How to Make Colored Shadows.

See what shapes shadows make with Shadow Art.

Shadow Activities for Kindergarten

Try these shadow STEM activities with kindergarten kids!

If your kids love LEGO, make your own LEGO Shadow Towers!

Try the classic groundhog winter experiment as a LEGO Groundhog Science Experiment!

Kids will have a blast making Chalk Shadow Drawings.

Shadow Activities for First Grade

shadow activities for preschoolers

First graders will love these shadow activities! You can use these to complete NGSS experiments and other science standards.

How Shadows Change Over Time is a fun experiment to try with the kiddos!

Watch how shadows change over time with a Shadow Time Lapse Painting.

First grade kids will have a blast trying the Shadow Heart STEAM Experiment.

Learn about how the sun changes shadows when you make a Human Sundial .

shadow experiments for kids
elementary stem challenge cards

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