This star craft for kids of all ages makes a cool constellation telescope using things you have around the house. This constellation project for kids is an easy and creative way to help your kids learn about the constellations of the night sky – in daylight!
Constellation Crafts for Kids: Telescope + Constellation Cards
On those clear, beautiful summer sky nights, it’s just wonderful to see the stars come out to play. After making this children’s telescope, you can look at the constellation maps in any weather!
Related: Try This Flashlight Constellation Activity
The clever fun element of it constellation activity makes the paper tube telescope out of a cardboard tube you have at home.
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Necessary accessories for children’s telescope crafts
Free printable constellation charts for kids
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How to make a constellation telescope for kids?
Step 1
Paint the paper tube with navy blue or black paint.
step 2
After drying, decorate with metallic pens, glitter pens or star stickers – whatever you have on hand.
Optional step
I wrapped a little silver wire around our tube to make it fancy.
step 3
Print out the constellation charts and use scissors to cut them out so that they are individual charts with one constellation on each.
step 4
Check that the constellation can be seen through the telescope when held to the end in an illuminated area. If it’s not clear enough, use a straight needle to push through the dots (stars) of each constellation map.
Learn the constellations
This learning activity can be enjoyed indoors by holding the telescope up to a light or window, or outside on a bright, sunny day. When the children hold the telescope to their eye and hold the constellation charts to the other end, the image of the stars will appear.
- The big wagon – Part of the Ursa Major constellation – points to the North Star
- The little wagon – also known as Ursa Minor
- Orion — known as Orion the Hunter — is located on the celestial equator, which is visible from around the world
- Cassiopeia – named after the vain mythical queen – in the northern sky
- Canis major – means the Great Dog in Latin – is located in the southern sky
- Andromeda – named after the mythical princess Andromeda – in the northern sky
Additional learning ideas for constellations
- See the stars during the day
- Understand the role that stars and other celestial bodies play in our universe
- Discover the mythical stories behind the constellations
active time
5 minutes
total time
5 minutes
difficulty
simply
Estimated costs
$0
materials
Cardboard Tube or Craft Roll – You can use a toilet roll or kitchen roll
Black or navy blue color
Metallic paint or pens, glitter or star stickers
(Optional) piece of wire
Printed Free Constellation Map Template – See Article
Tool
Paint brush
Scissors or preschool training scissors
(Optional) Pin or sharp pointed object
instructions
- Paint the paper tube black or dark blue and let it dry.
- Decorate with metallic pens, paint, glitter pens or star stickers.
- If desired, wrap with a metal wire.
- Print out and cut out constellation charts for children.
- At the end of the telescope tube, hold the chart in a well-lit area to view the constellation.
- If the constellations are difficult to see, use a straight needle to poke a small hole for each of the stars in the constellation.
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Did your kids enjoy making this constellation craft and then learning about constellations?