A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday April 8, 2024. Are you ready for it?
Check out the activities below to find out what it'll look like in your neighborhood and how to prepare for viewing it safely with fun art activities.
Jump to a Section: Ways to View the Eclipse Safely Book Recommendations Spotlight Story
This map shows the path the Moon's shadow will take across the United States during the solar eclipse on Monday April 8.
Can you find your city or town on the map?
Create a mask that will allow little ones a more comfortable way to view the sun through eclipse glasses since a lot of times they are too big for little heads!
Materials needed:
3. Remove the eclipse glasses. To make a cut-out area for the mask wearer's nose and mouth, take the ruler and measure and mark the following:
4. Use these markings to sketch out the area seen between the thick black lines in the photo to the left.
5. Use the exacto knife or scissors to cut slits for the arms of the eclipse glasses. Cut out the bottom part of the mask.
6. This is what your mask will look like after all of the cuts. Now you can decorate your mask any way you'd like!
7. When you're done decorating, finish assembling the mask by sliding the arms of the eclipse glasses into the slits you cut earlier. Make sure the glasses are snug against the paper plate.
Now you're ready for some safe, stylish solar eclipse viewing!
Watch this Flights of Fancy Story Time video from museum educators Ann Caspari and Diane Kidd about three friends getting ready to view the solar eclipse.
At the end of the video, Ann will show you how to make fun pinhole projectors using old greeting cards or recycled pictures.
Get the following materials ready and follow along:
Written and illustrated by Andy Rash
Best for ages 4 to 8
This charming story is based on a true story of the road trip the author took to view the 2017 total eclipse with his son. Discover what goes into preparing for such a trip and what makes it all worth it in the end.
Written by Kate Allen Fox, illustrated by Khoa Le
Best for ages 4 to 8
Have you ever experienced a solar eclipse? What happens when the sun disappears? This book describes different observations and reactions that happen during a solar eclipse.
By Jeffrey Bennett
Best for ages 9 and up
This book uses rhymes, real photographs and cool drawings to help kids learn about eclipse science.
A solar eclipse is an exciting sight to see, but people experience and sense the world in different ways. Meet Dr. Wanda Diaz-Merced, a blind astrophysicist who has found another way to study stars—through sound! One of her colleagues, Allyson Bieryla of Harvard's Center for Astrophysics, came up with the idea for a device called LightSound for blind and low vision people to experience the solar eclipse. Dr. Merced collaborated with her on this project!
For grown-ups: To learn more about a project Dr. Merced worked on while doing research at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and to hear what data made into music sounds like, check out the Star Songs webpage!
Soar Together at Air and Space is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman.