Light can be natural, like that from the sun and the stars, or artificial, like a light bulb. It is a form of energy and life on Earth depends on light from the sun.
Light travels incredibly fast, much faster than sound. This is why you often see the explosion of a firework before you hear the bang!
Teach your children about light using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Use this simple idea to demonstrate the difference between a source of light and a reflector.
- Investigate reflections with this activity that also reinforces measuring angles.
- In this investigation, find out which materials are transparent, which are opaque and which are translucent.
- These ideas using mirrors will develop children’s understanding of how light travels.
- Use this sheet to record the length of shadows at different times of the day.
- This information sheet and quiz is great for teaching about day and night.
- Make your own rainbow.
- Mix colours using light.
- Explore the refraction of light through water with this simple idea.
Resources
- Our Light Pack contains information and resources for teaching and learning about light.
- These vocabulary cards support discussion and writing about light.
- These light keywords and light banner are perfect for display.
- This site has some great ideas for light activities and experiments.
- This BBC animation shows how the eye detects light.
- Research scientists who developed our understanding of light through history with these cards.
Light Facts
- Nothing in the universe travels faster than light.
- Light from the sun, 93 million miles away, takes 8 minutes to reach the Earth. It takes over four hours to reach Neptune.
- Light waves travel in straight lines.
- All of the colours of the rainbow are contained in white light; each colour has a different wavelength.
- Plants convert light into energy through the process of photosynthesis.
Videos
Shadow Box
Follow these easy instructions to make your own shadow box.
Running time: 1:16
Make a Periscope
Turn a simple shoebox into a periscope for seeing around corners.
Running time: 4:25
Light travels in a straight line?
A simple demonstration showing how light travels.
Running time: 1:05
Properties of Light
A good overview of the properties of light.
Running time: 4:45
Books
The King Who Banned the Dark
When a king bans the dark, what happens?
Firenze's Light
Firenze the firefly doesn’t like her light, so she tries to cover it up.
The Cave of Shadows
Can Jess, Ben, Amelie and Zac use science to escape from danger?
How Things Work: Light and Dark
A great introduction to the topic.
Light: Shadows, Mirrors, and Rainbows
A lovely book with activities explaining light, shadows and mirrors.
Why does a mirror show things back to front?
This illustrated book answers your questions about light.
Links
- Try this quiz on light.
- This interactive site is perfect for exploring the behaviours of light.
- This site has a video and accompanying quiz about light.
- Older children will enjoy learning about light on this page.
- The Optics 4 Kids site has lots of ideas for activities and other resources about light.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
