Draw a Superhero Signal

What can we use instead of cardboard or a flashlight if we don't have those exact materials?

Use a cereal box or a thick plastic food container as the cardboard and a lamp or phone torch in place of the flashlight, positioning it a few feet away pointing at the stencil as in the instructions.

My projected superhero symbol is blurry or faint—what should I try to fix it?

Trim any rough edges on the cardboard cut-out, widen small cut-outs if needed, and move the flashlight closer or farther and tilt it until the projected superhero signal becomes sharper and the size changes as described in the steps.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages so it's safe and fun?

For younger kids, have an adult trace the symbol onto the cardboard and do the cutting while the child decorates the outer parts with colouring materials or stickers, and for older kids let them draw on plain white paper, trace, cut their own cardboard stencil, and experiment with tilt and distance for different effects.

How can we extend or personalize the superhero signal once the basic stencil is done?

Enhance the effect by taping coloured cellophane over the flashlight or layering a second decorated cardboard stencil for multi-colour projections, or add movement by slowly tilting the flashlight and then share a photo on DIY.org.