7 Exciting Astronomy Facts For Kids
The secrets and wonders of the universe have baffled even the brightest of minds. From the exceptional vastness of space to all the wonderfully weird and exciting things that go on above the clouds, there’s no shortage of interesting astronomy facts for kids. But how do you get your child into space and astronomy? Simple: find some fun and engaging activities for them to participate in!
Why are astronomy facts for kids so important?
Astronomy is an umbrella term to describe everything there is to know about planets, the stars, and everything else in the night sky. While it doesn’t pique every child’s interest, if you provide any kid with an engaging reason to look up, they may surprise you with how quickly they get invested.
It’s important to learn about astronomy from a young age for several reasons:
- It helps you understand where the human race came from and where they’re going
- It brings a more profound understanding of the physics of the universe and how everything works together
- It helps build inquisitive minds and creativity in developing children
- It can help prime their future if they pursue similar subjects of study, including math, physics, and geology
- It helps drive an interest in the sciences and technology, which can also help to pave their future
Learning astronomy is excellent for those reasons, but it can also be done simply for enjoyment!
How do you explain astronomy to a child?
Depending on the child’s age, explaining astronomy can be a difficult task. It’s hard to delve into the mysteries of the universe, and even scientifically gifted adults can have difficulty grasping certain aspects of astronomy. Why? Because, as mentioned, many parts of the universe are still a complete and utter mystery.
This is why, when teaching your child about astronomy, it’s important to remember that it’s not about knowing everything. It’s about opening their minds to unique possibilities and allowing their curious nature to take hold of what they’re learning.
It’s also important to note that explaining astronomy to a five-year-old child will be a vastly different experience than explaining it to a 16-year-old child. The two will grasp information at different levels and hold different views, opinions, and interests.
For example, if you’re trying to get your five-year-old into space and exploration, you will probably start by teaching them what stars are made of. For an older child who may already know the basics, diving deeper into the scientific concepts behind various elements of space is a great way to open their mind to the wide world of astronomy.
How can I teach my child astronomy?
Astronomy for kids can be implemented in many fun and exciting ways. If you’re looking for ways to make astronomy fun for kids, look no further than this kids’ astronomy guide.
Focus on the stars they can see
On a clear night, you and your children can head outside and look up to see a lot of wonders of space. Some stars and constellations are almost always visible, depending on your location. Have your child draw up all the constellations you can see and pick them out of the sky. These could include the North Star, the Big and Little Dippers, Cassiopeia, Orion, and Sirius.
Mark your calendars
At different times of the year, you and your children can watch meteor showers or see far-distant planets with the naked eye. To ensure that your child gets excited, why not plan to head outside and spot these on the days they roll through town? Mark your calendars with all the space-related events you can and watch them get jittery with anticipation!
Follow the moon phases
The moon cycles through many phases throughout the month. Have your child follow along with those moon phases in a booklet where they can draw out what the moon looks like during each stage, what the phases mean, and how the changes occur throughout the month.
Make a DIY telescope
Telescopes are a great way to get a better look at the night sky. Why not build one yourself instead of heading to a local hobby shop? The experience of making it together gives your child a sense of accomplishment, and they will be more excited than ever to see how their creation allows them to see into the far outreaches of space. A quick search online will provide you with some simple how-to guides!
Create a galaxy diagram
Another DIY project that can be fun and engaging is building a diagram of a galaxy. Kids can create planets using balls of different sizes, paper mache, or any other household objects they can form into a sphere. By doing so, they’ll learn how the sizes, colors, and conditions differ from planet to planet.
Check out stargazing hotspots
Many areas are home to dark sky reserves. These are in places with limited light pollution so that people can experience the night sky as it was truly meant to be seen. If you live in a populated area, heading to a dark sky reserve (with or without your new homemade telescope!) will wow your children with all the beauty that space has to offer. When looking up at the sky from a dark sky reserve, you can teach your children about the stars, constellations, and even the Milky Way.
Explore other dimensions through books
For children who prefer to learn through study, reading together can be a great activity to help them educate themselves on all there is to know about space. Specifically, learning about the theory of other dimensions and how that pertains to their current reality could be an excellent exploration activity for you to do together.
Astronomy is a broad subject, full of wonder and whimsy. To gain your child’s interest in the topic, it’s best to approach it in a fun way that combines learning with doing to make memories that will last, along with their newfound love for space.
