Sun Shadow Chalk Art

(Ignore the image above....AI did not nail it )

Supplies

• Footpath or concrete area

• Chalk (bright colours work best)

• Objects to trace, such as:

  • Toys (dinosaurs, animals, trucks, action figures)

  • Leaves, sticks, flowers

  • Cones

  • Balls

  • Water bottles

• Optional:

  • Cardboard cut-out shapes

  • Stencils

  • Tape (to hold objects down if windy)

Steps

1. Find a Sunny Spot

Choose an outdoor area where the sun casts clear shadows on the concrete.Morning or late afternoon gives the strongest shadows.

2. Place Your Object

Kids choose an object and place it on the ground where the sun creates a long, easy-to-see shadow.

They can:

• Stand their toy up

• Lay it sideways

• Combine several items for a “scene”

3. Trace the Shadow

Using chalk, kids trace around the shadow outline carefully.

Encourage them to notice the details:

• Spikes on a dinosaur

• Wings on a bird toy

• Wheels on a truck

• The shape of their own shadow!

Staff tip: Younger kids may need help holding toys still.

4. Add Colour & Detail

Once the outline is drawn, kids fill it in with chalk:

• Bright colours

• Patterns

• Shading

• Facial features

• Extra scenery (grass, sun, sky)

Encourage creativity — it doesn’t need to match the real object.

5. Try Different Shadows

Kids can move the object to see how the shadow stretches or shrinks depending on the sun’s angle.

Ideas:

• Trace the same toy 2–3 times across the day

• Lay down and have a friend trace their body shadow

• Use large items to make giant creatures