9 Amazing Eclipse Activities for Kids Astronomy Studies

Any time there is any kind of eclipse, it is a great opportunity for eclipse activities and learning with kids astronomy.

Here are some ideas for solar eclipse and lunar eclipse learning.

You can even create your very own space center homeschool day! (How fun would that be?!)

But, before we get to the eclipse activities . . .

What Is the Definition of Eclipse?

There are two types of eclipse: an eclipse of the moon, or lunar eclipse, and an eclipse of the sun, or solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks all or part of the sun when it passes between the sun and the earth. A total lunar eclipse occurs when all of the moon is obstructed by the earth’s shadow. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon completely covers the sun. In this type of eclipse, the moon passes between the earth and the sun and blocks out all of the sun when viewing from the earth.

 
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When Is the Next Eclipse and Where Can You See an Eclipse?

A total solar eclipse happens about once every 18 months. However, two to four other solar eclipses occur throughout the year for different parts of the world.

There are three or less lunar eclipses each year.

Mr. Eclipse has a calendar of upcoming eclipses and locations for the path of the eclipse.

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9 Eclipse Activities, Lessons, and Crafts

Eclipse Activities #1: Grab NASA Eclipse Lesson Plans

So, this is super cool:

NASA actually has an entire HOMESCHOOL ACTIVITY SECTION that includes:

family activities
solar eclipse party ideas
lessons
activities
printables
art projects
educator guides
& MORE!

Also check out other eclipse things on their site (the eclipse history is REALLY cool)!

Don’t miss it!

If you’re looking for great homeschool ideas and eclipse activities, the NASA homeschool section is a great place to start!

Eclipse Activities #2: Get Solar Eclipse Curriculum

APlus Homeschool has a free printable homeschool math lesson and a mini unit activity on the solar eclipse.

Eclipse Activities #3: Make a DIY Eclipse T Shirt Craft

We made this super fun solar eclipse t-shirt for our eclipse studies and my daughter enjoyed it so much.

She still talks about it.

OH! And, we mad it glow in the dark!

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Eclipse Activities #4: Solar Eclipse Craft Project [VIDEO]

eHow Arts and Crafts has a solar eclipse craft project video that demonstrates how the eclipse works.

It says for kindergarten age, but I think it looks cool for all ages!

It’s an easy DIY solar eclipse model.

CHECK OUT THIS RELATED ACTIVITY NEXT:

19 Lunar Eclipse Lesson Plans + Free Printable

Eclipse Activities #5: Eclipse Viewer Project: How to View a Solar Eclipse

You may already know this, but you should never stare directly at the sun during a solar eclipse (even if it seems dark and doesn’t hurt your eyes)!

A way that you can get around this is to get some Solar Eclipse Glasses or you can make an eclipse viewer.

(Which is actually a fun project!)

If you want to make an eclipse viewer, check out Woo Jr. who has an easy viewer craft.

Also, NASA has a 2D/3D pinhole projector project that looks pretty cool!

One year we also did the eclipse colander viewer for a solar eclipse.

Get a kitchen colander and place yourself where the eclipse is reflecting and hold the colander out to where it is reflecting onto a piece of paper or a light sidewalk.

Each hole in the colander acts the same way as a pinhole projector or viewer. It reflects through the holes and each hole shows you the crescent of the sun.

(See an example in the video below.)