Exciting Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids (Perfect for Eclipse 2024)

As you may have heard, on April 8, 2024, many (and I do mean many) parts of the United States are gearing up to witness one of nature’s most spectacular shows – a total solar eclipse! One of the best ways to prepare to take part in the epic celestial dance and witness the amazing spectacle in the sky is with solar eclipse activities for kids, which this post happens to be full of. Keep reading for some fun ways your whole family can prepare for and learn from the upcoming solar eclipse. 

What Is A Total Solar Eclipse?

Great question, my friend, and if you need help teaching your children just what a solar eclipse is, be sure to bookmark the following video (or watch it yourself!). 

When Is The Total Solar Eclipse 

Mark your calendar, my friend, because on April 8, 2024, the moon will dance in front of the sun creating an amazing show for many in North America. While a partial eclipse tends to happen more often (the last one was in 2021), the last time we had the opportunity to view a total solar eclipse was in August of 2017, so you could say it’s been a few years. 

With the next solar eclipse not occurring until August of 2044, long after our youngest graduates, we are hoping to use this eclipse as a great way to learn, have some fun, and make some great memories that will last a lifetime for our whole family.

Plus, it’s a great opportunity to learn a bit about space and take a break from our regular homeschool routine.

Solar Eclipse Activities for Homeschool

Living in the path of totality, we are in a prime location to be able to view the eclipse (weather permitting, of course). For right now though, we have a collection of fun solar eclipse activities lined up, and the date of the great American eclipse clearly marked on our calendar, so we can spend the week prior to the eclipse studying, learning, and working on a variety of solar eclipse activities for kids. 

These activities are a fun way to work on science, including astronomy, as we prepare for the big day. And many of them offer a hands-on learning experience, something kids always love. All in all, this natural spectacle is also an amazing educational event you don’t want to miss!

So even if this is the first time you are thinking of turning the total solar eclipse into a unique opportunity for learning, no worries, my friend! I’ve got you covered in this post with some of the best solar eclipse activities for kids that you can work on as you wait for the big event.

Solar Eclipse Activities For Kids

1. Learn the Science of the Solar Eclipse: Dive into the fascinating world of astronomy with resources like NASA’s Solar Eclipse website. Here you can find detailed explanations on all things space-related, watch videos, and utilize interactive tools to understand the science behind solar eclipses. Explore the different types of eclipses, learn why they occur, and find out how they’ve captured the imagination of scientists and stargazers throughout history. Plus you can dig into how to safely watch the eclipse, find out when and where to catch the best view of the solar eclipse, and even watch the eclipse live on April 8th if your view is not great that day. 
   
2. Create Your Own Eclipse Viewer: While we all want to see the solar eclipse happening on August 8, 2024, we have to remember that we can’t look at the eclipse directly. Tempting as it may be, there’s an inherent risk in looking at the solar eclipse either with the naked eye or only assisted by sunglasses.
   
   However, there are two different ways you and your family can view the solar eclipse safely. The first is to create a pinhole viewer (also called a pinhole projector) using simple materials like a shoebox, aluminum foil, and a pinhole. This is the method our family used for the 2017 solar eclipse, and it was a fun solar eclipse activity for the whole family. The second option is to purchase solar viewing glasses online or locally. Either way, please be sure you have proper eye protection if you are going to be outside taking in the eclipse. 
   
3. Track the Eclipse: Before the eclipse is here, make maps and track the path of the eclipse. This is a great way to work on geography and science together. Spend the day of the eclipse recording your data and tracking the path of the eclipse using maps and online tools. You can even turn it into a mini-research project by studying the effects of eclipses on wildlife and the environment. Add in some extra learning by creating a solar eclipse model!
   
4. Host a Solar Eclipse Party: Who says homeschoolers are anti-social?! Not me! The upcoming solar eclipse is a great way to get in some homeschool socialization. Invite your fellow homeschool friends to your home for a solar eclipse viewing party! Decorate with celestial-themed decorations, whip up some sun and moon-shaped snacks, and get ready for an afternoon of eclipse-watching fun. Don’t forget to snap some photos and share your experience with friends and family.
   
5. Reflect and Wonder: After the eclipse has passed, take some time to reflect on the experience. Sit down with the kids to discuss what they expected the eclipse to be like versus what they experienced as the sun’s light when dim thanks to the position of the moon. Over the next few days, you can continue learning with this unique event as they draw, dictate, or journal their experience or find other creative ways to express and save the moment. Be sure to encourage curiosity, imagination, and creativity as you work on some post-eclipse learning opportunities. 

So, what are you waiting for? Solar eclipse 2024 is right around the corner and the window of opportunity to work on these solar eclipse activities for kids is getting smaller and smaller with each passing day. 

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