Solar Eclipse Craft for Kids

This solar eclipse craft for kids is fun and easy! Plus, we now have updated info to help you relate this craft to the October 2023 annular eclipse and the April 2024 total eclipse.

This solar eclipse craft for kids is simple and fun. Add this to your solar eclipse activity list!

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We’re tuned in to all things Space here in Houston. My husband read about the total solar eclipse coming up on August 21st, and the kids were so interested that he started researching travel up to the part of the US that’ll be in total eclipse. I wasn’t all that surprised when it turned out to be too expensive for our family of 5, but it was fun to dream!

We’ll have to settle for a partial eclipse here, and hope for clear skies. Meanwhile, we’re getting ready with this easy solar eclipse craft for kids. I got the idea from a Northern Lights art project my kids did recently. I searched for a source for it, but all I could find were these similarly awesome Christmas light art – which we’ll definitely be trying later this year.

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This solar eclipse craft for kids is simple and fun. Add this to your solar eclipse activity list!

Solar Eclipse Background

My kids ask so many science questions that I can’t answer. I have to admit, I was a little fuzzy on exactly what the position of the earth, sun and moon are during a solar eclipse. I knew that it was the moon blocking the sun, but didn’t understand all the moving parts or why you can only see it in such a narrow band across the Earth.

RELATED: 10 Solar Eclipse Books for Kids

I did a little searching on YouTube, and liked this video the best. It’s detailed enough to answer all my kids’ questions, but not so technical that it’s above their heads (okay, or mine!)

If you keep watching to the end, they do also cover annular eclipses – yay!


Solar Eclipse Craft Materials

Sophie made her solar eclipse craft with no problem. Isabella, on the other hand, had trouble with her template slipping. So for her, we used re-stickable clear contact paper, and it worked beautifully. I’d definitely recommend that for younger kids. (Both links below are affiliate links for your convenience.)

This solar eclipse craft for kids is simple and fun. Add this to your solar eclipse activity list!

Solar Eclipse Craft Instructions

  1. Cut out a circle for each child from the scrap paper or contact paper.
  2. Tape or stick the circle to the center of the construction paper.
  3. Trace around the circle template with a thin line of chalk.
  4. Color heavily with chalk on the edges of the circle template.
  5. Use a finger to spread the chalk out from the template onto the background paper.
  6. Make sure all the excess chalk is spread out or shaken off, and then remove the circle template to reveal the clear space behind it. Label with the metallic gel pen if you like.

Update: Annular Eclipse Craft Instructions

It’s really easy to turn this into an annular eclipse craft! Just make the chalk a little heavier around the circle template. That will create a “ring of fire”.

More Eclipse Fun

The last time we had a total eclipse was in 2017 (can you believe it’s been that long!) and I fell in love with these cute t-shirts shown on the left below. Well, I just checked, and I’m excited to share that there’s an updated shirt for 2024 – hooray! (affiliate)

Together at Last eclipse-tshirt from 2017
Together Again 4-8-2024 eclipse shirt with a cartoon sun and moon

Pin the craft for later:

This solar eclipse craft for kids is simple and fun. Add this to your solar eclipse activity list!

Related articles across the web:

NASA has some helpful information on viewing the 2023 annular eclipse, including eye safety, the eclipse path, and more. They also have a page on the 2024 total eclipse which is full of details.

I also really like this simple 2024 eclipse overview from the Exploratorium science museum.

Happy viewing!

    37 Comments

    1. This is great! I am in the library in an elementary school so I will definitely be using some of these ideas – and I think I need to order the shirt for my kids. We are in a total eclipse zone – so you can come stay with me and my family! ?

      1. Glad you like it. I’m so jealous you’re in the path of totality! You’re sweet to toss out an invite. We thought about friends we could visit, and wish it were more practical for our family. There’ll be a total eclipse in Texas in 2024 – we’ll just have to wait.

        1. Oh, how disappointing that they have to stay inside for the eclipse. Glad to help make it special with this craft 🙂

    2. Pingback: Make August 21st Memorable for You and Your Child: Solar Eclipses – Immerse
    3. Since tomorrow is the “big day”, this will be a great activity to do my my summer camp students. Thank you!

    4. I live in Omaha and can’t wait till tomorrow. I work with preschoolers so I’m definitely going to do this project with them.

    5. Pingback: The Solar Eclipse
    6. I love these activities!! I’ll try them with my grandson. Keep up the good work. It’s wonderful what you are doing. Keep on SHINING!! Spreading love and knowledge.

    7. Hi Heather,
      By any chance do you have a lesson plan on this activity that you can share?

      My husband is already planning to go to Texas for the next one!!!! We live in Florida and what I saw was no big deal.

    8. Pingback: 11 Best Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids [easy] | Tip Junkie
    9. Pingback: Solar Eclipse -

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