May 4, 2026First full week of May (May 4–10, 2026)#ScreenFreeWeek
Celebrate Screen-Free Week with Hand Shadow Puppets
Learn it on the app, then put the phone down and perform
What is Screen-Free Week?
Hand shadow puppets are a screen-free activity that has entertained people for generations. Use Shadow Pals briefly to learn the hand position, then put the phone down — the real play happens on the wall.
Established: 1994 by Center for SCREEN-TIME Awareness (now managed by Fairplay)Official source
How it connects to hand shadows
Shadow puppets need a light, a wall, and your hands. The app teaches the skill; the activity itself is entirely screen-free. It is the perfect bridge between technology and unplugged play.
How to celebrate with shadow puppets
- 1.Find a dim room with a light-colored wall. A bedroom, hallway, or living room at night works well.
- 2.Use a single light source — your iPhone flashlight, a desk lamp, or a flashlight. Position it behind you, about 15–18 inches from your hand.
- 3.Start with the rabbit — two fingers up for ears, a fist for the head. It is the classic first figure for a reason.
- 4.Try the dog next — use your thumb and pinky to open and close the mouth. Give it a voice.
- 5.Take a photo or video of your best shadow and share it to r/shadowpals with #ScreenFreeWeek.
Try it yourself
Shadow Pals is a free iPhone app that coaches you through hand shadow figures in real time. It uses the camera to track your hand and show you exactly which fingers to adjust.