Star Gazing
Starry night activity
Month 7 · Activity 22 · Nature/Science
Instructions
- Do a search for the constellation Ursa Major on the internet. You will find the Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Polaris the North Star. Seeing pictures of what to look for in the sky before heading out at dark is helpful.
- Introduce a child to the wonders of a night sky (away from lights if possible)
- After spending 10 minutes in the dark outside, your eyes should have adjusted
- Look for the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Polaris the North Star, and moon
- Look at the sky through a telescope, binoculars, or your “naked” eyes
Simplify
Enjoy looking at the night sky together. Look for bright stars, twinkling stars, and the moon. See if the child can find patterns in the sky.
Extend
The constellation Ursa Major means Great Bear and the seven brightest stars in the constellation make the Big Dipper. You can check out skymaps.com
QUESTIONS FOR A CHILD
How many stars are in the sky?
If someone tells you that you were the star of the day, what would that mean?
Materials
- clear starry night away from city lights (if possible)
- internet access
- telescope/binocular (optional)
Activity Resources
Language Skills
Math & Science Skills
Problem Solving Skills