Shadow Blueprint Lab

🌸 Overview

Turn sunshine into science with this creative outdoor experiment!

☀️In Shadow Blueprint Lab, children explore light, shape, and design by tracing and observing how shadows move and change throughout the day. It’s part art, part science, and full of “wow” moments - a perfect blend of curiosity and creativity.

This activity invites kids to slow down, observe, and connect with the world around them, discovering early concepts of time, direction, and perspective in the process.

🌿 What You’ll Explore

• Science: Light, shadows, and how the sun’s position changes.

• Art: Tracing, observation, and composition.

• Maths: Comparing shapes, sizes, and angles.

• Social & Emotional: Patience, focus, and appreciation of nature.

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(Full learning outcomes, reporting phrases, and differentiated prompts are included in the printable pack.)

🪴 What You’ll Need

• Paper or cardboard (A3 or A4)

• Pencils, markers, or chalk

• Tape or weights to hold paper still

• Objects to trace (toys, leaves, blocks)

• Optional: a clock or compass for time tracking

✨ Quick How-To

1️⃣ Place your paper on a sunny surface.

2️⃣ Arrange your object on top and trace around its shadow.

3️⃣ Come back later in the day and trace again - how has it moved or changed

4️⃣ Colour, decorate, or layer the outlines to create a “blueprint of time.”

💡 Parent Tip: Talk about how the sun moves and why shadows grow or shrink - even simple observation builds understanding of Earth’s rotation and time.

💚 Adapt for Every Age and Ability

• Use large, easy-to-trace items for younger or SEN learners. Trace directly for your child.

• Tape paper down securely to reduce frustration.

• Provide a visual “shadow tracker” board to show time of day.

• For sensory seekers, use chalk outside and trace directly on pavement.

• For older children, measure the length of shadows and record data over time.

(Printable “Shadow Tracker Chart” and visual step cards available in the downloadable pack.)

🎨 Extension Ideas

• Shadow Sculpture: Build a structure from blocks and see how its shadow looks different at different times.

• Story Shadows: Trace toy figures and create a shadow story scene with dialogue.

• Shadow Race: Predict which object’s shadow will “move” furthest in 10 minutes!

• Art Fusion: Paint over outlines with watercolours or collage to create a layered sun print effect.

💾 Download the Full Activity Pack

The Shadow Blueprint Lab Printable Pack includes:

✔️ Step-by-step visual setup guide

✔️ Science vocabulary and observation worksheet

✔️ Shadow Tracker data chart

✔️ Visual Now/Next schedule

✔️ Certificates and challenge cards

✔️ SEN & Early Years adaptations

🛒 Get the Shadow Blueprint Lab Pack on Etsy

🎥 See It in Action

Watch the full outdoor setup and time-lapse results here:

🌿 Watch Shadow Blueprint Lab on Instagram

🪶 Why We Love This

We love this one because it teaches patience and wonder - the kind of calm, focused learning that feels like magic. It’s science you can see unfold in front of you.

Thanks for joining us for today’s experiment 💚

If you give it a go, we’d love to see! Tag @CuriousPawsLearning on Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, X, Pinterest or Facebook so we can celebrate your little scientist’s success together. 🐾