Five Awesome Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids

Hey, have you heard there is going to be a total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017?

What is a total solar eclipse you ask - let me explain.  A solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes in between the earth and the sun causing a shadow of the moon to fall on certain portions of the earth. Here is a link to a great video you and your kids can watch to learn more about the solar eclipse:

What a great opportunity to teach and experience something astronomical all at once! My kids love crafts and I think the crafts below help reinforce the concepts taught in the video and they are just plain fun to do.

Here are some great craft ideas all about the solar eclipse you can do with your kids:

1 - Solar Eclipse Chalk Art

Requires minimal supplies and is simple enough for young children to participate in. Find complete instructions and a list of materials at Books and Giggles.

2 - Solar Eclipse Pin Hole Camera

Stay safe and still enjoy the sun's stellar shows by creating your very own pinhole camera. It's easy! All the instructions and pictures showing a step by step process can be found here : JPL NASA

3 - Solar Eclipse Coffee Filter Craft

Here is a great craft to do with your kids to teach them about the solar eclipse. For the complete tutorial check out this site - Look We're Learning.

4 - Solar and Lunar Eclipse Model

Recreating a model of the solar (and lunar) eclipse for your kids to touch, play with and just experiment with will help your kids understand what an eclipse is and how it works. Follow the pictures at Arvin Gupta Toys to make your own.

5 - Solar Eclipse Cookies

Sun shaped cookie cutter and a circle cookie cutter along with some frosting and sugar cookie dough make for a sweet and educational solar eclipse. Need a great sugar cookie recipe? My favorite recipe for sugar cookies can be found at Sallys Baking Addiction. 

If you get a chance to step outside on the day of the eclipse please make sure you tell your kids how dangerous it is to look directly at the sun. Keep those little (and grown up ) eyes protected properly.