Star gazing is a practice that man has been doing since the beginning of man. In our world of TV, computers, and video games, star gazing is becoming a lost art. As an activity to do with the kids, they will fondly remember your sessions and hopefully pass time star gazing with their kids.

Why Star Gazing?

Children fear the dark because of the unknown. Night activities help your child overcome this fear by familiarity. If ever your child is confronted with being outside at night alone, basic survival skills may be the difference between life and death. Becoming familiar with the stars at different times of the year will teach him help teach navigation.

Budget cuts have made astronomy in schools not one of those easily accessible subjects. Actual viewing instills learning that books can't teach.

Start Simple

Print out a star chart of your current night sky from your computer. Become familiar with location of the North Star or the Southern Cross depending on which hemisphere you live in. These are the relatively stable reference points that all the other stars revolve around. These points shift slightly as the earth tilt shifts season to season. Note compass direction. Face your child in the north direction so he gets the feel of it. This helps our brains align with the inner compass we are born with.

Print out a few of the constellations that help locate the North Star or Southern Cross. The two most important ones in the north are the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. The North Star is located between them. Help your child locate them.

At each season, introduce your child to a constellation in the southern sky. This teaches your child to align himself so he can find north.

When you visit areas where your child may become lost such as a wooded areas near your home, note to your child which direction to take when facing north to get home or to a safe house.

Don't Miss Special Events

Meteor showers are a must. Falling stars are fascinating. The appearance of the Milky Way in the summer sky is beautiful. Locating the space station when it travels through your night sky is pleasing. Don't forget lunar eclipses and moon phases. Follow planets across the sky. These are all activities our human predecessors did (except space station). Star gazing is a great activity to share with your kids.