According to popular belief, on this day a groundhog named Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, can predict the weather. A shadow is a dark shape projected by a person or thing that blocks light. Before Groundhog Day, prepare groundhog puppets or let kids make them by drawing a groundhog, such as the one shown here, on brown construction paper. Cut out the groundhog shape and tape it to a craft stick or pencil. Make a burrow for each groundhog puppet by cutting the end out of a paper sack.
Kids wear the sacks like sleeves.
While holding the stick of the groundhog puppet, slip the paper sack over the puppet, the wrist, and part of the arm. Stand with the sun behind you. Hold the sack so that its shadow can be seen on the ground in front of you. Hold the sack with one hand while you raise the groundhog puppet out of the hole. Observe the shadow of the groundhog on the ground.