Surprises in silhouette

Your child's shadow is all you need to make an unforgettable Father's Day gift.

You'll Need

  • Black construction paper
  • White construction paper
  • Scissors
  • A bright light
  • A blank wall
  • A white crayon
  • Tape

Time

60 minutes

Learning Stages

Sure, kids can give dad a tie, that most traditional of Father's Day gifts. But why not make this Father's Day treasure, a lovely child portrait in silhouette.

  1. Place a bright light facing towards a blank wall.
  2. Tape a piece of black construction paper on the wall. Have your child stand in front of the bright light so that her shadow is cast against the construction paper. Have her stand very still as you trace her profile with a white crayon.
  3. Ask your child to cut out the shadow and glue it on the white construction paper. Let her use her imagination to make a fancy frame for her portrait out of embellished popsicle sticks or cardboard.
  4. Help her to wrap the self-portrait as a gift.

You can also have your child trace your face and make a silhouette of you!