— December 3, 2024

Does studying the stars seem intimidating? Are you an astrologer ready to point out any of the constellations to your child? No? Me neither! On any given night I can usually find Orion’s belt but not the rest of his body. The Big Dipper, yes. And that is where my knowledge of the stars ends. Despite the obvious lack of skill, this activity helped me feel more confident to find the rest of Orion’s body and to search for more constellations with my children. I also provide you with an excellent, free app suggestion to help you explore the heavens with more ease. 

As an Amazon Associate, Playing for Hours earns from qualifying purchases.

Star craft activities for preschoolers.

The Nature Constellations activity is a part of Ss is for Star, a week of lessons themed around stars for preschoolers. This is a week full of star activities for 3-5 year old’s in homeschool. Included are book suggestions, coloring pages, and printables. To explore more of what Ss is for Star has to offer click the button below.

Create a sense of wonder before you study the constellations. 

Enjoy stargazing.

A few nights leading up to this activity I am sure to take the boys outside after the sun has set. We gaze up at the night sky and I’ll point out the constellations I am familiar with. Ursa Major and Orion’s Belt are the extent of my knowledge so that’s when a little extra help is called in.

The app Skyview has a free version that supplies basic constellations, planets, satellites, and even names of stars. This app also connects the stars in lines, just like the printable to bring the stars together into an image. 

Books about stars.

Depending on the books you choose your child can explore stars academically or whimsically. I prefer to use a book selection that offers a variety. How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Iza Trapani are both whimsical. On the other hand, The Sun is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch and Our Stars by Ann Rockwell are full of information presented at a child’s level.

Constellations

Constellations are an interesting conversation because they are rooted in whimsy and information. In history they have been used as ways to communicate beliefs and mythology. Throughout history they have also been used as navigation for sailors. Anne Rockwell’s Our Stars briefly touches on stars being used in a practical sense while Star Stories: Constellation Tales From Around the World by Anita Ganeri is excellent for communicating the mythology behind constellations.

Constellations activity with free printable.

After you complete this activity I guarantee you will have a better sense of constellations as well as your child. After having completed it with my kiddos I feel more confident in finding the rest of Orion than just his belt. I have also been able to find Ursa Minor and Scorpius on my own. I am eager to learn and add to the list of constellations. This way the boys and I can continue to become confident stargazers.

Constellations activity.

Print and laminate.

Print the constellation cards and I recommend laminating because you will be taking them outside. This makes them a bit heavier so that a light breeze won’t blow them away and protects them from water and dirt. 

Cut the cards to be individual and allow your child to choose which they want to create. I will show them each card and read the name. Of course my boys each wanted to create Hercules and Orion so we began with them. I mostly helped Mick, my 3 year old, while Marty, 5, did it himself. 

Gathering materials.

I explained the boys would need to gather round objects to be stars. These could be acorns, other nuts and seeds, rocks, etc. Then I explained that the lines were imagined and that they would use sticks or pine needles to represent these. 

The boys spent some time gathering these items from the woods and driveway. They brought back branches that I helped snap down to a reasonable size. Acorns, rocks, and sweetgum seeds were used for stars. 

Recreate the constellations.

The boys recreated their chosen constellation using their materials. I guided them through referring to the constellation by name and which part we were adding. Such as referring to Orion’s shoulders and bow. Aquila the Eagle I would refer to the wings and Cygnus the Swans’ neck. 

Once a boy completed one they were welcome to choose another. By the end my 5 year old was helping his little brother. Easy, fun, educational, and free makes this a great homeschool activity. Get the free printable below.

More star gazing activities to encourage looking at constellations.

Before diving into the activity you need to introduce constellations to your child through stargazing and books. Once they are interested, this activity is easy and they will love recreating the constellations.

Additionally, your child will have interacted with a visual of Ursa Major, Lyra, and Orion making finding them in the night sky easier. Before this activity I found myself repeating myself and trying to connect the stars with a concentrated flashlight beam for my kiddos. Having completed this activity made it much, much easier. I still highly recommend the flashlight though! 

For more star activities check out Ss is for Star. Coloring pages, more book and poem suggestions, as well as star craft activities are included. 

Letter of the Week reimagined for homeschool.

Ss is for Star is one week in a 26 week curriculum for 3-5 year old’s in homeschool. It has been reimagined for all that home learning has to offer. Science experiments, math activities, art projects, and more make up the activity ideas offered. While each letter includes free printables, games, coloring pages, and more. Explore more at the button below.

Recent posts on the homeschool blog.