Children and their families explore the night sky to find the Big Dipper, Polaris, and other star groups and constellations.

Invite children and their families to go outside and view the sky on a clear night.

• Can the children find the Ursa Major? The Big Dipper? Ursa Minor? The Little Dipper? Polaris? What about other constellations?

Recommend that they obtain a sky chart for their local area; this will display a view, as observed with the naked eye, of the night sky. Sky and Telescope offers an interactive Sky Chart that can be generated and printed easily using a local zip code.

More Activities

Last updated
June 11, 2007

Who?
Ages 5 and up (and their families)

How Long?
30 minutes or longer

What's Needed?

• Sky chart
• Clear, dark viewing sky
• Mosquito repellent
• Flashlight
• Snacks

Connections to the National Science Standard(s)

Standards D (grades K–4): Understand that objects in the sky have patterns of movement.