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Through the NSF-funded My Sky Tonight program, we have created a set of research-based, science-rich astronomy activities that are engaging and developmentally appropriate for pre-K aged children, and trained hundreds of educators at museums, parks, and libraries across the U.S. on how to effectively engage their youngest visitors (ages 3 – 5) in astronomy.
Note: all of these activity links will open up into separate PDF files
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Children match pictures of the Moon on cards with matching pictures on a banner that shows the Moon phase cycle.
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Children design and build a vehicle for exploring another world, using recycled materials.
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Children love to sing! Constellation Song is easy to sing, and scientifically accurate!
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Children make craters by dropping balls into a tub of flour.
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Children talk about the differences between daytime and nighttime, including the activities they do at each time.
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Children work together in a group to create an Earth landscape, compare different environments on Earth, and talk about what makes Earth special.
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Children use binoculars to search for small items that an astronaut lost while walking on the Moon.
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Children create their own space helmets out of paper bags, put on special air packs, gloves, and boots, and then explore the lunar landscape.
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Children match pictures of the Moon on cards with matching pictures on a banner that shows the Moon phase cycle.
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Children love to sing! Star Song is fun, easy to sing, and scientifically accurate!
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Children tell a story about a trip to the beach on a sunny day and investigate ultraviolet (UV) light.
