Science · Colouring and tick worksheet
How Shadows Are Made: Free KS2 Light Worksheet
This free printable worksheet supports the Year 3 science topic of Light, helping children understand that a shadow is made when an opaque object blocks light from a light source such as the Sun. The colouring scene and tick-the-box statements encourage children to notice that a shadow has the same outline shape as the object that casts it.
Designed to print neatly onto a single A4 page, it works well as a quick recap, a homework task, or a calm independent activity. There is one clean line illustration to colour and a short set of true-or-false statements to check understanding.
How Shadows Are Made
Free Science worksheet · Ages 7 to 8
Activity 1
Colour the picture. The Sun is the light source. The tree and the ball are opaque objects that block the light, so they make shadows. Colour each shadow grey to show where the light is blocked.
- Colour the Sun yellow and orange.
- Colour the tree's leaves green and the trunk brown.
- Colour the grass green and the ball any colour you like.
- Colour the tree's shadow and the ball's shadow grey.
Activity 2
Read each sentence. Tick the box only if the sentence is true about how shadows are made.
- A shadow is made when an opaque object blocks the light.
- The Sun is the light source in the picture.
- The tree's shadow is the same shape as the tree.
- The ball makes a round shadow.
- Shadows are made when light passes straight through an object.
- A see-through glass window makes a strong, dark shadow.
How Shadows Are Madeowee.worldAnswer key
- A shadow is made when an opaque object blocks the light. — tick
- The Sun is the light source in the picture. — tick
- The tree's shadow is the same shape as the tree. — tick
- The ball makes a round shadow. — tick
What children learn about shadows
In Year 3, children are introduced to the idea that we see things because light travels from a light source to our eyes, and that light can be blocked. A shadow forms when light cannot pass through an object and so a dark area appears on the surface behind it. This worksheet keeps the explanation concrete: the Sun is the light source, the tree is the opaque object, and the dark tree-shaped patch on the ground is the shadow. Linking each part of the scene to its role helps children move from simply naming a shadow to explaining why it appears.
Opaque, translucent and transparent
A key idea behind shadows is that materials let light through in different amounts. Opaque objects (such as a tree, a wall or a child) block light completely, so they cast a clear, dark shadow. Translucent materials (such as tracing paper or frosted glass) let some light through and cast a faint shadow, while transparent materials (such as clear window glass) let nearly all light through and cast little or no shadow. You can extend the worksheet by asking your child to test everyday objects against a torch and sort them into these three groups.
Why a shadow matches the object's shape
Light from the Sun travels in straight lines. When those straight rays meet an opaque object, the object stops them, and the area the object "covers" on the ground stays dark. Because the light is blocked by the outline of the object, the shadow takes on that same outline shape: a round ball makes a round shadow, and a tree makes a tree-shaped shadow. Encouraging children to compare the object with its shadow in the picture reinforces this matching of shapes, which is a common assessment point at this stage.
Extending learning at home or school
Once children understand how a shadow is made, the natural next step in the Year 3 curriculum is to look for patterns in how the size of shadows changes. Try a simple investigation: shine a torch on a small toy and move the torch closer and further away, or measure an outdoor shadow at different times of day. Children will notice that the shadow grows and shrinks and moves as the light source moves. This turns the worksheet into a springboard for hands-on, scientific enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
How are shadows made for KS2?
A shadow is made when an opaque object blocks the light coming from a light source, such as the Sun or a lamp. Light travels in straight lines, so where the object stops the light, a dark, object-shaped patch appears on the surface behind it. This is the core idea taught in Year 3 science.
What is an opaque object?
An opaque object is one that light cannot pass through, such as a tree, a book or a person. Because it blocks the light completely, it casts a clear, dark shadow. This contrasts with translucent materials, which let some light through, and transparent materials, which let nearly all light through.
Why does a shadow have the same shape as the object?
Light travels in straight lines, so the object blocks the light along its outline. The dark area left behind matches that outline, which is why a round ball casts a round shadow and a tree casts a tree-shaped shadow.
What age or year group is this worksheet for?
It is aimed at children aged 7 to 8 in Year 3 (Lower Key Stage 2), where Light, including shadows, is a statutory topic. It also suits younger or older children revising the same ideas.
Is this shadows worksheet free to print?
Yes. It is completely free to download and print. It is designed to fit onto a single A4 page so you can print it at home or in the classroom with no special setup.
Curriculum links
- Year 3 Science, Light: recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object.
- Year 3 Science, Light: find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change.
- Year 3 Science, Light: recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light.
- Working scientifically (Lower KS2): asking relevant questions and setting up simple practical enquiries, and gathering and recording results to help answer questions.
Made by The Owee education team. Updated 02/06/2026. Free to print and share.
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