The art of shadow puppetry
Bring stories to life
Shadow Pals helps you and your family learn shadow puppetry. All you need is your hands, a light, and a little imagination.
Why shadow puppetry
More than an app.
A practice.
Shadow puppetry has deep roots across many traditions. We are here to help you explore it in a practical, beginner-friendly way.
Learn step by step
Guides, tutorials, and practice prompts help you build confidence one shadow at a time.
Quality time together
Put down the screens and pick up a flashlight. Shadow puppetry brings families together through creative, imaginative play.
Unlock creativity
From classic animals to original characters, explore a wide range of figures with just your hands and a light source.
Explore the wider community
Discover featured artists, public events, and shadow-puppetry traditions from around the world.
Start with the classics
The Cat
See what a practice session looks like. The app tracks your hand, highlights the fingers that matter, and helps you shape a clean cat silhouette faster.
- 1
Make a fist
Start with a tight closed fist for the round cat head.
- 2
Lift the index ear
Poke the index finger up and curl it slightly into a point.
- 3
Mirror the pinky ear
Raise the pinky with the same curl so the ears feel balanced.
- 4
Tuck the thumb
Keep the thumb folded in for the cleanest head silhouette.
- 5
Keep it feline
Move your fingers slightly to create slow blinks and small head turns.
Use the site tutorial first, then jump into the app when you are ready for guided practice.
Explore more
There is a larger world of shadow puppetry and shadowgraphy waiting for you.
Find workshops and events, discover featured artists, and browse tutorials from creators around the world.