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Here at Activity Village you can learn a little about solar eclipses with our interesting and fun printable activities.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the Earth and sun, blocks the sun's light, and casts a shadow on the Earth. A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely covers the sun. This happens about every 18 months somewhere on Earth. A partial solar eclipse happens at least twice a year.
Because the moon's shadow is small, we rarely get to see a total solar eclipse. In fact, a particular spot on Earth might only get to see a total solar eclipse every 375 years!
Don't get confused between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse! A lunar eclipse is when the moon moves behind the Earth. The Earth therefore blocks the sun's light on the moon and a shadow, with a red tint, is created. A solar eclipse makes the sun darker. A lunar eclipse makes the moon darker.
It is important not to look directly at the sun while waiting for the solar eclipse, or while the eclipse is taking place - unless wearing proper solar eclipse glasses. Glasses should be checked for scratches and holes before wearing and children must be instructed on their proper use. For example, they must be taught to look away from the sun before taking the glasses off.
Woodland animals are enjoying a picnic while watching a total solar eclipse - well protected with their special eclipse-watching glasses! Colour in this delightful colouring page, which was designed for us by one of our Members, Midori Feldman.
Here's a story paper with a beautiful illustration all about a solar eclipse - the animals and flowers all look ready for the eclipse with their special safety glasses!
Here's a fun printable activity to help kids understand the relative size of the sun and moon and what happens during a solar eclipse.
Our finger tracing worksheet for the moon is a great way for the kids to practice their letter formations and the spelling of the word.
This useful handwriting worksheet helps children learn how to write and spell the word moon.
Learn to spell the word moon by tracing over the letters on this word tracing worksheet.
Here's a super activity to help kids understand the relative size of the sun and moon using A3 paper, pens and maybe some tissue paper and glue to decorate the sun. They might be surprised by the end result!
This colouring picture of a sleeping sun might be perfect for younger children watching a total solar eclipse. Colour the face of the sun black and the flames - or corona - yellow.
Use our lovely sleeping sun story paper to get the kids writing creatively! Is the sun dreaming, and what happens when the sun wakes up? Lined and handwriting lines versions are available for different ages and abilities.
Kids can print and fold this Solar Eclipse booklet then maybe write a report about the eclipse detailing what they experienced during this amazing celestial event? They could also write some interesting facts about the eclipse or perhaps a poem?
Anyone who has ever experienced a solar eclipse will know it's a truly memorable event! The kids can write down their own experience of the solar eclipse on our Solar Eclipse notebooking pages.
It's so important for everyone to stay safe and protected when watching the incredible moment the moon moves in front of the sun. Here's a printable for the kids to design their own solar eclipse safety poster.
Unscramble the words and match them to the pictures on our fun solar eclipse word scramble worksheet. Some of these are quite tricky, so it's a great challenge for older children! We've included the solutions to check the answers once the puzzle is completed.
Can the kids find all the solar eclipse themed words in this printable word search puzzle? Some of them are quite tricky! We've included the solution too.
A solar eclipse is a fascinating astronomical event and a great learning opportunity for kids.This Solar Eclipse worksheet has some challenging questions to really get them thinking and it'll test their research skills too!
Here's an interesting and challenging solar eclipse worksheet that will require some brain power from the kids to complete! Can the children draw paths of light from the sun to show where on the earth will see a total or partial eclipse?
This space cutting shapes worksheet has so many uses. With two pages and all the planets of the solar system, once cut out the planets can be used to make a mobile or collage.
Here's a fun activity to help the kids learn more about a solar eclipse. Print the pages onto some card, cut out the suns and moons (and laminate if you wish) - then see if the children can match the suns and moons by size to create their own solar eclipse!
This useful sun and moon writing frame is perfect for any space themed project.
This simple introduction to dot to dots is a perfect way to introduce them to young children. Have them follow the dots slowly counting out loud as they complete our sun dot to dot.
This finger tracing word use a good one for very beginners, featuring a simple CVC phonics word for them to trace over, first with their finger and then with a pencil.
Our Sun handwriting worksheet is a good one for beginners, featuring as it does a simple CVC phonic word. Use it with your weather topic or as part of a space theme.
Trace over the letters of the word sun, and colour in the picture. You might want to use this word tracing worksheet for a weather topic, or when learning about the planets.
Here's a fun activity for the kids, contributed by Member Midori Feldman. Can the kids find the differences between the two pictures of an eclipse-watching picnic? Did you know that birds stop singing during a total eclipse?
Watching an eclipse through special glasses