Shadow Dice

Roll the dice, create shadow hand puppets and let your imagination run wild!

If you would like skip straight to making shadow hand puppets, scroll down to 'Make Some Shadows' for instructions.

You Will Need:

  • A dice template (download below)

  • Scissors and glue

  • A strong light source like a torch

  • Your hands

  • A large blank wall

  • Imagination, curiosity and a sense of fun!

Make Your Dice:

1. Download and print your chosen dice template (A3 size paper works best). There are 3 template options:

  • Ready to go: pre-designed animals for younger children or those who need a head start

  • Colour in: animal outlines ready to colour in, for children who enjoy a creative challenge

  • Draw your own: blank faces for children to draw their chosen animals, great for older or creative children

2. Cut out the shape carefully along the solid lines, fold along the dotted lines, and glue down the tabs to build your dice.

Younger children may need a hand with this step, or you may like to prepare the dice in advance.

Cut along the solid lines.
Fold the dotted lines.
Apply glue to the grey tabs.
Stick the tabs together.
Time to play!

Let's Play:

  1. 1. Set up your light source pointing toward the wall. The closer the light, the larger the shadow — experiment to find what works best in your space.

  2. 2. Ask a child to roll their dice.

  3. 3. Use hands to make a shadow of the animal shown on the dice. Follow our handy guide below or see what you can come up with on your own.

  4. 5. Discuss and experiment: How would the animal move? What sounds does it make? How would it eat?

Make Some Shadows

Watch our video below for a demonstration

How to set up:

  1. 1. Point your light at the wall.

  2. 2. Work out where to stand between the light and the wall. Will you stand:

  3. • to the side

  4. • underneath

  5. • closer to the light

  6. • closer to the wall?

  7. 3. Put your hands up and watch your shadow appear!

 

🐍 Snake

Put your fingers and thumb together. Face your thumb up. Draw an 'S' shape with your hand and arm. Wriggle and slither around!

🐊 Crocodile

Put one hand on top of the other. Reach your hands forward. Open and snap shut!

Can you take a bigger bite from the elbows?

🦆 Duck

Face your palm down. Keep your four fingers together. Put your thumb underneath. Bend your wrist and elbow. Open and close your thumb. Quack, Quack!

🐶 Dog

Hold your hand straight. Face your palm towards the light. Curl your index finger in. Bend your thumb. Move your pinky finger up and down. Woof, Woof!

🐨 Koala

Make a fist. Tuck your thumb under your fingers. Point your knuckles up to the ceiling. Face your palm towards the wall. Raise your index and pinky knuckles up slightly. Wiggle your ears!

🐰 Rabbit

Make a fist. Hold two fingers straight up. Wiggle those ears! Twitch your nose!

 

Other animals to try

Can you make a:

  • 🦋 butterfly (loop your thumbs together and flutter your wings!)

  • 🐈 cat (like a koala with slightly bigger ears)

  • 🦘 kangaroo (add a tail to the rabbit)?

 

What other shadows can you make?

Next Level: Shadow Stories

Now your animals are alive on the wall, it's time to tell some stories! Take the game to the next level with Shadow Stories, play-based scenarios exploring elements of friendship.

Encourage children to interact, prompt and help each other. Use movement, sound and imagination to make these stories come to life!

You can also use toys or cardboard cut outs instead of your hands to make shadows. Experiment and play!

Scenario 1 – A New Friend Element of friendship: inclusion

One animal is playing alone. Another animal arrives and isn't sure whether to say hello. What does the first animal do? How do they invite the new animal to join in? What do they play together?

Prompt for children: How does it feel when someone asks you to play? What could you say to make a new friend feel welcome?

Scenario 2 – Sharing the Space Element of friendship: kindness and compromise

Both animals want to stand in the same sunny spot on the wall. There isn't quite enough room for both of them. How do they work it out? Can they find a way to share?

Prompt for children: What happens when two friends want the same thing? How can you be kind even when it's tricky?

Scenario 3 – One of Those Days Element of friendship: empathy and support

One animal is feeling sad and has curled up small on the wall. The other animal notices. What does the second animal do to help? How does the sad animal feel when their friend shows up?

Prompt for children: How can you tell when a friend is having a hard day? What's one thing you could do to help?

Curriculum Connections

The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia V2.0.2022

EYLF Learning Outcomes

  1. 1. Children have a strong sense of identity

  2. 2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world

  3. 3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

  4. 4. Children are confident and involved learners

  5. 5. Children are effective communicators

Australian Curriculum Version 9.0

Primary Learning Areas

English • The Arts

General Capabilities

Critical and Creative Thinking • Ethical Understanding • Literacy • Personal and Social Capability

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