Kid Crafts - Silhouette Portraits, Shadow Plays

Before cameras, people immortalized themselves with silhouette portraits. They are easy to do and quite fascinating for children. Once they have done a portrait, they might like to try using other objects or toys.

Tape a large piece of unwrinkled scrap paper to a wall. Have one person sit on a stool as close as possible to the papered wall. In a darkened room, place an unshaded lamp far enough from the subject so that his or her head will make a clear shadow. You can change the size of the silhouette by moving the light; closer to make it larger and farther away to make it smaller. The light needs to be strong enough to keep the outline of the shadow sharp and clear enough to trace accurately.

Carefully trace around the shadow outlined onto the paper taped to the wall. You must work fairly quickly or the subject will get tired and start moving. Try starting with the forehead, nose, mouth and chin first. Then cut out the paper pattern of the head and tape (not glue) to the black construction paper or cardboard. Cut out around the pattern carefully. Turn it over and glue the silhouette to white paper.

Children love to dress up and play pretend. Even older children love to put on skits. Proper costumes, props and backgrounds are not always available. Children can put on a very realistic skit by using shadows. Hang a very large white sheet from a doorway in your home or any other area which can give your actors more room. Place a strong, unshaded lamp on one side of the sheet. Place chairs for your theatre goers on the other side. Turn out the lights. Now your play can begin. Everything that is acted out on the actors side of the sheet will be seen in silhouette on the other side.

Before playing to an audience, have children take turns sitting in the audience to refine the lighting and acting which will be seen by the audience.

This type of skit requires movement by the actors as the audience will hear the speech but only see silhouettes. As well, the actors must be sure they are sideways for arm movements or they will not be seen. Props must be large enough and easy to recognize as shadows.

Once children try out this concept, you can be prepared to see many skits; wonderful for their imaginations and creativity.

Please visit Karens Variety and enjoy shopping in my store where you will find a large selection of patterns and pattern books, both new and vintage. Choose patterns which are mailed to you or patterns which are downloaded instantly in PDF format. The selection changes regularly so please sign up for the monthly Newsletter and receive FREE patterns, articles and special offers. You will also receive a weekly notice of New Listings. Enter the monthly Contest.