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Imagine · Wild and Tumble activity

Leaf shadow puppets

Lights off, torch on, show time! Make leaf characters and bring them to life in the shadows.

  • 20 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Indoors
  • Autumn and winter
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 5 min to make · 12 min to play · 3 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A few big leaves with interesting shapes
  • Lolly sticks or twigs, and tape
  • A torch and a plain wall or white sheet

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Tape each leaf onto a stick to make a puppet.

  2. Turn off the lights and shine the torch at the wall.

  3. Hold a puppet between the torch and the wall.

  4. Move it closer to the torch. What happens to the shadow?

  5. Make up a little story with your leaf characters.

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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