The groundhog was afraid of his shadow. Because we are children of God, we have nothing to fear! This science experiment with light and shadows will get children thinking about staying close to the light of God.
Materials
Flashlights (two or three for the kids to share)
Optional: Cut-out shapes or use Popsicle-stick puppets
Instructions
1. Hand out the flashlights and turn out the overhead lights.
2. Ask the children to turn on their flashlights and aim them at different walls.
3. Experiment with holding the light at various distances from the wall while other children make shapes with their fingers or hold up puppets in between the light and the wall.
4. Observe the differences in the shadows. Are they blurry? Are they clear?
Explanation
The closer the object is to the light, the clearer its shadow will look on the wall. When you pull the object away, the light diffuses and makes the shadow appear blurry.
Application
We are like the puppets. The closer we are to the light, the more clearly we can see what God is doing with our lives. When we are far away, things can seem blurry and scary. Ephesians 5:8 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light!” Let’s remember to stay close to the light of God this winter season and his ways will be clear to us.