Thanksgiving Shadow Matching Activity for Preschool
In this Thanksgiving shadow matching activity, kids match each colorful picture to its shadow. There are 12 pictures, including a turkey, a cornucopia, a pumpkin and a slice of pie.
The pieces attach with Velcro, so once it is prepped it can be used again and again. It also comes with outline pages and black-and-white pieces.
What Matching Shadows Teaches
A shadow takes away all the details and colors, so the only thing left is the shape. To find a match, kids have to look closely at the outline and notice what makes it different: the stem on top of the pear, the bone sticking out of the turkey leg, the curl on the end of the cornucopia.
Some shadows look a lot alike. The pumpkin and the acorn both have a little stem, and the pie and the slice of pie are easy to mix up. Those are the ones where kids really have to slow down and compare.
Talk Through It
Matching is a great time to build vocabulary. Ask kids to name each picture and tell you how they knew where it goes. “The pear has a stem and it is skinny on top” is exactly the kind of looking this activity is for.
Prep It Once
- Print the shadow pages and picture pages on white cardstock.
- Laminate everything if you can. It helps the pieces last.
- Cut out the color picture pieces.
- Put the rough (hook) side of a Velcro dot on the back of each picture and the soft (loop) side on its shadow.
- Store it all in a task box or bag.
The directions also say to cut the shadow pages into single cards. You can do that, or leave each page whole as a mat with four shadows, like in these photos.
Making It Easier or Harder
Start with one page of four shadows and just the four pieces that go with it. When that is easy, mix all 12 pieces together so kids have more to sort through.
The outline pages are a step up. Without the solid black shape, kids have to pay even closer attention to the edges.
Ways to Use It in November
- An independent task box for centers or work time.
- A small group activity where each child takes a turn matching and naming a picture.
- A quiet bin for the busy days before Thanksgiving break.
What’s in the Set
- 12 pictures: turkey, turkey leg, acorn, corn, cornucopia, leaf, pear, pie, slice of pie, pumpkin, squash and sunflower
- Shadow pages and color picture pieces
- Outline pages and black-and-white picture pieces
- A materials list and preparation directions
Grab the Printable
Get the Thanksgiving shadow matching activity in my shop.
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