As a homeschool mom, I was always on the lookout for unique learning opportunities to spark curiosity and engage my kid’s minds. One such extraordinary event is around the corner, the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The next one will be in 2044. So, let’s inspire a love for learning this year, with fun solar eclipse activities for kids that you can do in your homeschool.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sunlight and casting a shadow on Earth. The moon will be doing a special dance in front of the sun, making it look like the sun is disappearing for a little while.
During a total solar eclipse, as on April 8, 2024, it can will get completely dark in the line of the eclipse. You can see if your hometown is in that path right here. For partial solar eclipses, you might see the sun look like a crescent or a ring in the sky, depending on where you are.
All in all, it’s a really cool event when the sun, moon, and Earth all line up just right!
9 Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids
Let’s have fun, learning more about solar eclipses and astronomy.
Solar Eclipse Model
Create a three-dimensional model demonstrating how solar eclipses occur. Use a flashlight to represent the sun, a small ball for the moon, and a larger ball or globe for the earth. Have your kids move the position of the moon to understand the different types of eclipses.
DIY Pinhole Projectors:
Help your kids make their own pinhole projectors using simple materials like cardboard boxes, aluminum foil, and paper. Each child can have their own viewing projector. This activity helps them understand the principle of indirect observation during an eclipse and provides a safe way to view it.
Shadow Play
Set up an outdoor activity where your kids can observe & measure changes in shadows during a solar eclipse. Provide measuring tools like rulers and chalk for marking shadow positions. This hands-on experience shows how the moon blocks the sunlight.
Eclipse Artwork
Do you have a creative, artistic child? Tap into their creativity with eclipse-themed art and crafts projects. From painting celestial scenes to crafting paper plate eclipse models, you’ll find endless possibilities to explore. Use this opportunity to blend art with science and inspire imaginative expression.
Eclipse Viewing Party
Organize a safe viewing event for fellow homeschool families to observe a solar eclipse firsthand using proper protective eyewear. Set up telescopes or binoculars with solar filters for enhanced viewing. Provide some of these fun solar eclipse activities for the kids to enjoy & learn more.
History of Eclipses
Research historical solar eclipses. Then, create a timeline highlighting significant events & discoveries related to eclipses throughout history. This activity integrates history with science and fosters research skills. Create a Solar Eclipse Lapbook or Notebook to document all your findings.
The Easter Skies of the Cross can help you get started in discovering more about eclipses throughout history.
Journal the Solar Eclipse Activities
Encourage your kids to document their observations of the solar eclipse through drawings, photographs, or written descriptions. Create a lapbook, scrapbook or journal to commemorate this unique experience.
Be sure to record any changes in the environment, such as temperature drops or animal behavior. Then, guide your kids in interpreting the data and drawing conclusions about the eclipse’s impact on the environment.
Eclipse Myths and Legends
Explore cultural myths, legends, and superstitions surrounding solar eclipses from different societies around the world. Watch the first video above to get a glimpse into superstitions in ancient times. Let your kids research and present their findings, in a way they will enjoy. They can share the similarities and differences between various cultural beliefs.
Track the Eclipse Path
Use maps and online resources to track the path of the solar eclipse. Use this one to get started before April 8. Explore the regions where the eclipse will be visible and discuss why certain areas experience total darkness while others only see a partial eclipse. Engage your children in geography and astronomy by studying the eclipse’s trajectory across the globe.
Oreo Moon Phases
A solar eclipse can only happen during a full moon. Discover more about the phases of the moon with our fun . Your kids will love this activity because it involves food…Oreos!
Watch these moon videos for kids and “see” what the different phases look like in relationship to the earth & sun.
For a limited time, you can get our Oreo Moon Phases Guide ($10) for free. Simply, enter your name & email below. We’ll send it to you immediately.
It includes several youtube videos to teach & remember the moon phases, as well as questions to discuss with your kids. We also have a 1 paragraph writing assignment in this guide. Simply enter your first name & primary email below and we will send it to you … for FREE!
~Sabrina K.
Thanks for the Oreo fun with moon phases pdf. We used it yesterday after buying a box of the cookies for some extra fun learning about the moon landing and the moon phases. The kids really enjoyed the videos on your blog as well. Thanks so much for making those resources available.
Thanks for the Oreo fun with moon phases pdf. We used it yesterday after buying a box of the cookies for some extra fun learning about the moon landing and the moon phases. The kids really enjoyed the videos on your blog as well. Thanks so much for making those resources available. These hands-on activities not only deepen your kids’ understanding of solar eclipses but also promote critical thinking, creativity, and scientific inquiry. Before I close, let’s talk about eclipses in the Bible, specifically at Easter time.
Was there a Solar Eclipse at the Cross?
While Jesus was on the Cross, darkness covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon. While the text does not explicitly mention a solar eclipse, some interpretations suggest that this darkness could have been caused by a natural phenomenon like a solar eclipse.
From noon until three in the afternoon darknesscame over all the land.
Matthew 27:45
As Jesus hung on the cross, a solemn darkness enveloped the land, shrouding the scene in an eerie twilight. From noon until three in the afternoon, the sun’s light seemed to disappear, casting a shadow over the land. It was as if the very heavens mourned the suffering of the Son of God.
In that moment, a profound stillness descended upon the earth, and the world stood witness to a darkness that mirrored the weight of the sacrifice being made.
Take a Deeper Dive into the Skies of the Cross
To dive even deeper into what happened in the skies while Jesus was dying on the Cross, you can use our Easter Skies of the Cross ebook. You’ll discover more about blood moons and solar eclipses on that day.
I just received your Astronomy, ebook, Star of Bethlehem…similar to Easter Skies of the Cross. It is AWEsome! . . . I am so excited about this material that I can hardly wait to introduce it to our children. Thank you for your time & for your AWEsome (in the true sense of the word) ebook. I am looking forward to the availability of the rest of your material on astronomy.
~ Julie Banton
The April 8 solar eclipse presents a golden opportunity for homeschool moms to ignite their children’s passion for learning about the cosmos. By engaging in these solar eclipse activities, you can transform this celestial event into a memorable educational experience that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the universe.
So, mark your calendars, gather your eclipse glasses, and embark on a cosmic journey with your family this April!
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