Fun Astronomy crafts for kids and adults
Welcome to the
Astronomy crafts page for kids and adults. This page is all about showing you how much fun Astronomy activities can be.
I can hear you now, you're saying, "Astronomy is a science, and it's not supposed to be fun." My job on this page is to show you how much fun Astronomy can be.
If you'll do the Astronomy activities and Astronomy crafts on this page, you'll see that science, and Astronomy in particular can be a very fun hobby to have.
So, without further ado, let's get to the fun stuff already!
Astronomy crafts activty number 1
How to make your own sundial:
Here are the things you'll need:
- A large paper cup
- A plastic lid
- A straw
- A watch
- A pen and pencil
- Sticky tape
- Sand or stones
- A compass pointing north
Here is what you do:
1. Put a hole in the side of the cup with the pencil. Make sure it's about 2 inches down from the top of the cup, and be sure that the hole is big enough for the straw to fit through.
2. Next, fill the cup halfway with sand and stone and put the lid on the top of the cup.
3. Push the straw through the hole in the lid, and also through the hole in the side of the cup. Make sure that the straw sticks out about 2 inches from the lid.
4. Tape the other end of the straw to the side of the cup.
Let's try it out
You are ready to try out your new sundial! Get up early the next morning and find a place where the Sun is visible for most of the day. Place your sundial on a flat surface where it won't be disturbed. Point the straw to the north (use your compass to find north).
Using your watch and a pen, as each hour passes, mark where the straw's shadow falls on the cup.
Do this every hour until at least 3 pm. If it gets cloudy, just wait for another day to finish your sundial.The next day, you're ready to use your sundial to tell what time it is.
Astronomy crafts activity number 2
Make your own solar oven:
This is one of the coolest Astronomy crafts you can do. You'll be able to actually cook your own food with the help of the Sun, when you finish this project.
Here's what you'll need:
- An adult to help you
- A square pizza box
- A black marker or pen
- A straw or a stick
- A clear, sunny day
- Non toxic tape or glue
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
- Some scissors
- A ruler
- Paper plates
- Black construction paper
- Hot dogs and buns
Here is what you'll need to do:
1. Draw a square on the top of the box and make sure it's 1 inch away from the edges.
2. Cut along 3 sides of the square on the box. Do not cut along the line along the back of the box.
3. Now, make a flap by folding the top of the box back along the uncut line.
4. Cut a piece of foil about the size of the flap and fit it inside the flap.
5. Glue or tape the foil to the flap, shiny side up. Be careful not to wrinkle the foil. Press the wrinkles out with your fingers.
6. Next, cut the plastic to fit the hole inside the pizza box that the flap made. Make sure the plastic isn't much bigger than the hole.
7. Tape the plastic to the box, and seal it tightly so air doesn't escape.
8. Cut more foil and use it to cover the bottom and sides of the box. Glue or tape the foil in place.
9. Cover the foil inside the box with black construction paper and tape it into place.
10. Put the solar oven on a flat surface, in a place that gets plenty of sun and open the box.
11. Put a paper plate or napkin in the center of the box. Put hot dogs on the plate.
12. Keep the back flap of the box open with a straw or a stick.
13. Make sure to turn the flap towards the sun, so that the Sun reflects off of the foil and into the box.
14. Make sure to turn the box when you need to, so that the flap is always facing the Sun.
15. Wait 30 minutes to an hour for the hot dogs to cook. Be careful, the oven can get very hot!
I hope these Astronomy crafts prove to you that Astronomy isn't just a boring science that you learn about in a textbook, it's full of fun activities that you can do!
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