Inspiration – Family Trip to France
Vitruvian Man Activity For Kids
- How are the circle and square similar? – They both outline the fingertips to toes shape of man.
- How are the width of the arms and height of man similar or different? Discuss portions. Notice how a perfect circle and perfect square are made in this drawing with a center in the man’s groin area.
- Do you think your body is proportionate? Let’s find out!
Learning Activity – da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man
1. Take two photographs of your child standing like Vitruvian Man – having him or her first stand with feet together and arms out straight, and then in the “star position” – feet apart and arms up slightly. The challenging part for the adult is trying to take the photo from the exact same spot both times so the child’s size in the photo is the same. I gave my photos a sepia filter to have them look more like da Vinci’s old parchment paper drawings.
2. Print out photos – 2 per child. Cut out one of the bodies and place it directly above the other.
3. Have your child use a ruler to draw lines along all 4 sides of the man. Have your child measure two of the sides (length and width) and write down the measurement. Have you made a square or rectangle?
Use a ruler to draw and measure straight lines.
4. Using a compass, or a pencil tied to a string and tack, try drawing a circle around the the star shaped body. Where is the middle point on the body? Can it be done? Do you have a circle or oval?
Draw a circle around the body – see our set-up as we don’t own a compass.
Here are some other learning resources related to Vitruvian Man:
- Video – Ted Ed on Vitruvian Man and the art and mathematics behind it. Full Ted Ed Lesson here. Great to Watch!
- Measuring Activity for Kids
- Free Printable – under level 4 length/measure area
Children’s Books on da Vinci:
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