What can children do on a very hot day?

A shadow hunt gives the children a list of shadows and cool things to find, so they stay in the shade and get a calm game instead of running around in the sun.

How does a shadow hunt work?

The children get a sheet of shadows and cool spots to find, like the shadow of a tree or a parasol. They mark off each thing they spot, until the list is complete.

The shadow hunt comes for ages 4–6, 7–9 and 10–12. The youngest look for pictures, while the oldest get missions like comparing the size of the shadows.

Can I print it for free?

Yes. It's a free A4 PDF you download with no sign-up and print at home on a normal printer before you head out.

Is a shadow hunt a good activity in the summer heat?

Yes, because it naturally draws the children into the shade. They stay cool while they search, instead of being active in the strongest sun.

Do the children need any equipment?

Just the sheet and a pencil to mark with. Something firm to lean on makes it easier to write when you're outside in the garden or park.

Shadow hunt for kids

Activity Workshop · Printables

Shadow hunt for kids

A shadow hunt for kids is a ready-made list of shadows and cool things for the children to find on a hot day, like the shadow of a tree, a parasol or a cool corner. You just print the sheet, and the children have a calm game that keeps them in the shade when the sun is blazing.

About this sheet

A shadow hunt is a ready-made list of shadows and cool spots for the children to find outside. Instead of hidden clues it's a find-it list: the children look for the shadow of a tree, a parasol or a wall, and mark off each thing they spot. Everything is made in advance, so you just print the sheet and you're ready.

The game is made for hot days, when it's too hot to run around in the sun. It naturally draws the children into the shade and gives them something calm to do while they stay cool. It works in the garden, in the park and at the beach, and is just as good on a slow afternoon as over the summer holidays.

The shadow hunt comes in three age variants: ages 4–6, 7–9 and 10–12. The youngest get pictures to recognise, while the oldest get small missions like comparing how big different shadows are or feeling for where it's coolest. Choose the variant that suits the child.

The sheet is a free A4 PDF that downloads right away, with no sign-up. Print it at home on a normal printer and take it outside. If you want to fill a whole hot afternoon, you can combine the shadow hunt with water play bingo, so the children alternate between calm hunting in the shade and water play in the sun.

What you get

A ready-made find-it list on one A4 sheet with shadows and cool spots — tree, parasol, wall, bush.
Three difficulty levels: pictures (ages 4–6), simple words (ages 7–9), tasks like measuring shadows (ages 10–12).
A tick box by each item, so the children can see how far they've got.
Bonus missions — find the biggest shadow, feel for the coolest spot, count the shadows in the garden.
A 'shadow hunter' certificate to print and fill in once the list is complete.

How to use it

Choose the age. Set the difficulty to suit the child. The youngest get pictures to look for, the older ones get words and small missions like comparing how big the shadows are.
Print and find the shade. Print the sheet at home on a normal printer. Take it out into the garden, the park or to the beach, and ideally start where there's already a bit of shade to be in.
Send the children on a shadow hunt. Hand the children the sheet and let them look for shadows and cool spots. They mark off each thing they find, and stay in the shade while the game goes on.

Download the shadow hunt free

Choose the age, download the sheet as an A4 PDF and print. Ready to use right away — no sign-up.

Create shadow hunt now See all free printables

Frequently asked questions

What can children do on a very hot day?: A shadow hunt gives the children a list of shadows and cool things to find, so they stay in the shade and get a calm game instead of running around in the sun.
How does a shadow hunt work?: The children get a sheet of shadows and cool spots to find, like the shadow of a tree or a parasol. They mark off each thing they spot, until the list is complete.
What age is it for?: The shadow hunt comes for ages 4–6, 7–9 and 10–12. The youngest look for pictures, while the oldest get missions like comparing the size of the shadows.
Can I print it for free?: Yes. It's a free A4 PDF you download with no sign-up and print at home on a normal printer before you head out.
Is a shadow hunt a good activity in the summer heat?: Yes, because it naturally draws the children into the shade. They stay cool while they search, instead of being active in the strongest sun.
Do the children need any equipment?: Just the sheet and a pencil to mark with. Something firm to lean on makes it easier to write when you're outside in the garden or park.