Fun with Shadows
Shadow
plays are one of the oldest forms of entertainment. They
first appeared in China more than one thousand years ago
and later spread across Europe. Magicians and puppeteers
would travel the countryside performing them
at fairs and other community events.
But
making shadow pictures is so easy you can do it right in
your own home. All you need to make shadow pictures are
flexible hands, a small lamp or flashlight with a clear
bulb, and a blank light-colored wall.
Shine
the light on the wall and then put your hands between the
wall and the light to make the shadows.
Try
moving your hands closer to the light, then farther away.
What
does this do to your shadow?
Experiment with movement. If you move your hands in the right direction, you can make your swan appear to swim or your eagle seem to fly. You can also have your creations talk to each other to make a shadow play. Try these shadow creatures and make up your own.
