6 Fun Activities That Will Make Kids Light Up on Solar Eclipse Day

Rebecca Rakowitz
·4 min read

The 2024 solar eclipse is T-minus three days away, and there are so many fun things your kids can do ahead of The Big Day. In case you haven’t been keeping up with your solar news, here’s the 411: On April 8, a solar eclipse is projected to pass over North America, with more than a dozen states — Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine — possibly seeing a total eclipse. Basically, the moon will line up between the Earth and the sun, making it appear like the sun is completely covered by the moon.

The next total solar eclipse isn’t projected for another 20 years, but don’t worry, kiddos in other states can expect to see at least a partial eclipse — so long as the skies stay clear and they have the safety gear to do so. And if clouds do make an appearance, your family can always turn to NASA’s broadcast.

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In the build-up to the natural phenomenon, there are plenty of fun things you can do with your kids to keep them excited and *whispers* educated.

1. Make A Pinhole Viewer

If you don’t have the proper glasses — and/or you’re looking for an activity to keep the kiddos busy — you can build a pinhole eclipse projector with your little engineers. All you need are two pieces of paper, a pair of scissors, some tin foil, tape, and either a pin or pencil (or something similar) to poke a hole. NASA has some easy-to-follow instructions. Once your kid has the basics, they can decorate their viewer to their heart’s content!

“You hold [the pinhole viewer] with the sun behind your head, so it’s indirect,” Dr. David Rogers, chief of ophthalmology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and chairman of the AAPOS Solar Eclipse Task Force tells SheKnows Health Editor Maggie Ryan. “You can safely look at what’s going on behind you because you’re seeing the shadow of the sun, and you can watch the partial phases of the eclipse.”

2. Make Art Prints

This project from Scholastic is a great way to show kids just how powerful the sun’s UV rays are. Give each child at your “viewing party” a piece of colored construction paper. Then have them gather small items from the backyard (like rocks, flowers, or leaves) or small toys with interesting shapes that they don’t mind having outside. Place these items on the paper and then cover the sheet with clear plastic wrap or plexiglass so the items don’t blow away.

After the eclipse, remove the plastic wrap and the items to reveal the new pattern on the page. The spots that were covered by a leaf or toy will be a different shade than the exposed paper. Maybe this art project will finally convince your kids not to put up a fight over sunscreen. (Here’s hoping!)

3. Participate In Centuries-Long Research

T(w)eens who are especially into STEM or those who are passionate about making a difference can participate in the Eclipse Soundscapes Project. The project began in the 1930s when scientists asked the public to study how an eclipse affected animal and insect behavior. Nearly 500 personal observations were compiled, and similar studies — including one done by the National Park Services in 2017 — have been conducted since then. By collecting audio or visual information or sharing written experiences, kids can help “advance soundscape ecology and scientific exploration.”

4. Create A Ring Light Eclipse Model

Little selfie kings and queens will be so ready for this eclipse demonstration from Exploratorium. With black construction paper, white paper, scissors, a black marker, a ruler, tape, a skewer, a hole punch, and a small ring light, kids can simulate an eclipse of their own.

5. Watch Something Fun

Part of what’s great about Solar Eclipse Day is that it gets kids off the couch and outside. But if they’re going to have some screentime on the 8th (or beforehand), it might as well be educational! There are endless informational videos on YouTube like this one from National Geographic, this one from Peekaboo Kidz, and this one from PBS.

6. Prepare The Snacks!

If there was ever a time to stock up on Moon Pies, Sun Chips, Cosmic Brownies, Mars Bars, Milky Ways, and Starbursts, it’s now! After all, the next total solar eclipse isn’t until 2044.

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