Solar Eclipse 2024 Ideas for the Classroom

A solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, and this is a unique opportunity for engaging science exploration. Introduce your students to the basics of a solar eclipse with informative videos and hands-on activities with these solar eclipse ideas for the classroom. Keep reading for a FREE solar family flyer to send home with families.

Check out these related posts:

• Eclipse Videos for Kids
• Total Eclipse Information for Teachers
• Fizzy Rainbow Experiment and Free Printable

GRAB THIS ACTIVITY AND EVERYTHING ELSE FROM SIMPLY KINDER INSIDE THE UNLIMITED PRINTABLE MEMBERSHIP HERE!

Eclipse Basics

Provide information for students to better understand the basics of a solar eclipse. You can do this by watching educational videos and reading informational books.

Check out Simply Kinder’s Eclipse Videos for Kids post for a thorough list of educational eclipse videos. A summary and link for each video is included. Find the videos here at Eclipse Videos for Kids – Simply Kinder.

Some eclipse read aloud ideas are listed below.

• Someone is Eating the Sun
• The Big Eclipse
• Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story
• Eclipses
• Simply Kinder’s Eclipse Easy Readers – Total Eclipse Found HERE and Partial Eclipse Found HERE.

Solar Eclipse Crafts

Eclipse Sliding Plates – students paint 2 paper plates with sponges to resemble the sun and moon. Attach the plates using a brass fastener. Students will slowly slide their moon plate over the sun plate to create a solar eclipse.

Solar Eclipse Paper Plate Craft – Students will use a paper plate and 3 small circles to create this interactive eclipse craft.

• Trace the opening of a cup to create a blue circle (Earth), yellow circle (sun), and black circle (moon).
• Cut an arc in the middle of the paper plate.
• Attach a popsicle stick to the back of the moon circle.
• Glue the earth and sun to the paper plate as seen in the photo below.
• Insert the moon stick into the opening on the plate and slide the moon over to cover the sun and create an eclipse.

Tip: Add googly eyes to the moon and sun for added fun.

Simply Kinder’s Eclipse Craft – Don’t have time to gather craft supplies? Grab an easy-to-prep eclipse craft from Simply Kinder + HERE. Students will color the pieces needed to make an interactive model of an eclipse.

Other Solar Eclipse Ideas

Create a Solar Eclipse – Use 2 balls of different sizes (earth and moon) and a flashlight (sun) to show students a visual model of what happens when the moon travels between the sun and earth.

Make Eclipse Hats – Use Simply Kinder’s Eclipse hat templates to make some fun headgear for the big event. Grab your eclipse hat HERE.

Eclipse Snacks – Enjoy an eclipse themed snack.

• Moon Pies
• Sun Chips
• Cosmic Brownies
• Star Crunch
• Eclipse Snack Mix: Mini Oreos, Mini Golden Oreos, Mini Marshmallows, Milk Duds, and Chocolate Chex cereal

Eclipse Gum Tasting – Give students 2 different flavors of Eclipse gum to taste test. Students can share their opinions on which flavor they liked best. This will make a great writing activity as well. Students can write about which flavor they preferred on themed eclipse paper found HERE at Simply Kinder +.

Free Solar Eclipse Flyer

Grab your FREE Solar Eclipse Flyer to send home with students here. This is a great opportunity to connect school and home learning. Families can scan a QR code on the flyer to learn more about the solar eclipse together.

Get more Free Printable inside Simply Kinder + Printable Membership! Learn more about how to join the FREE plan and unlock instant downloads here!

Check out Simply Kinder for more eclipse resources for a richer learning experience.

• Space and Eclipse Centers – literacy, math, and play centers included.
• Total Eclipse Bundle – Printables, Easy Reader, Brochure, and Hat included.
• Eclipse Bulletin Board Project
• Eclipse Phonics Bingo

What solar eclipse ideas for the classroom do you have? We’d love to hear! Please make sure to tag us on Instagram here or share inside the Simply Kinder Teacher Facebook Group here.