A free activity from Batteries Not Included
A five-minute shadow puppet adventure
A flashlight, a wall and your hands are enough to start a story. Let your child choose the character; you find out what happens next.
By Robert Wescott · The Sage Dad · Updated
Ages 4–7 · 5 minutes
The shadow that needed a name
You need: a flashlight, a clear patch of wall, and your hands.
Aim the flashlight at the wall. Make a shape with one hand between the light and the wall. Ask, “Who could this be?” Accept the first answer, including “a potato.” A potato can have an excellent adventure.
Let your child make the next shape. Give it a name and a small problem: it has lost its hat, it is looking for somewhere to sleep, or it keeps sneezing bubbles. Take turns adding one thing to the story.
Then let your child change the shadow. Ask, “What happens when your hand moves closer to the light?” Try it together and describe what you see.
Dad’s line: “Show me the part you want me to play.”
For a younger child: copy their hand shape or sound. A story can be two characters saying hello.
For an older child: make one shape become three different characters without moving the flashlight.
Good stopping point: the character finds somewhere to sleep. Say goodnight and turn off the light. Keep the beam on the wall while you play.
One thing to say this week
When your child invites you into their game:
“I like being with you. Show me what you’re making.”
Join at their level and let them choose your part.
There’s more in the full issue.
Each issue brings a few things to try together, words you can borrow when your child needs them, and small projects that grow over time. Choose one thing to start. Repeat anything they love. The rest will keep.
A paper-bridge experiment, Sock Town deliveries, four more phrases, the first rook lesson, and your first field-guide visit.