Any aspiring gumshoe will need to know how to spot footprints! Make a variety of impressions in flour and show kids how to examine and detect the differences of each shoe. Even the family pets can play along and kids can learn to discern between different kinds of paws. Perfect at any camp or summer program. Let the investigation begin!
Age
Toddler, Preschool, School-age, Tweens, TeensNumber of Players
As many as you can handle!Prep Time
10 - 20 minutesTime Length
15 - 30 minutesDifficulty
Easy peasy (fun and simple)Indoor/Outdoor
OutdoorsSpace Needed
Medium (a clearable open space the size of a 2-car garage)Noise Level
QuietMess Factor
Put down the tarps!Supplies
Setup
1. Lay as many lids as you have next to each other in a row.
2. Line up a series of different shoes behind them.
3. Pour a layer of flour or sand over the lids about a 1/2 inch thick.
4. Create imprints of each shoe in the flour or sand.
How to Play
1. Allow children to examine the soles of each shoe.
2. Let them then explore the imprints in the flour to determine which imprints belong to which shoes.
3. They will quickly begin thinking like detectives by picking out subtle differences within the shoes and the imprints.
Variations
1. If you don't have enough flour you can also use sand.
2. Instead of shoes, use a variety of similar type items. Toy animals work well, as do different size and shaped tires.
Educational
1. This is a wonderful activity to supplement a lesson about imprints, fossils, or even size differentiation in regards to mathematics.