Simple Resources For The Solar Eclipse

I am so excited to hear that we’re expecting a solar eclipse in the UK. We’ve missed things like meteor showers and lunar eclipses over the years usually due to cloud cover, but with the sun – well, dark is dark, so we’ll experience something no matter the weather. In my corner of the world we’re only expecting a 40% darkness, but as you head further up into the UK, there’ll be more to about 94% darkness in Scotland. The last time the UK saw an eclipse like this was in 1999, so this is pretty epic.

You can learn more about what to expect in your zone here:

I intend to take  full advantage of this eclipse and make it as engaging a learning experience as possible. I remember seeing a full solar eclipse with my mother as a child, and I intend to make the same memory for my girls. 

Here are a few of the Solar Eclipse resources I’ve pulled together so far:

• If you want to buy solar eclipse glasses so that you can look at the eclipse directly you can buy decent solar eclipse glasses here. DO NOT use regular sunglasses to look at a solar eclipse.
• The Royal Astronomy Society has a free booklet on how to view an eclipse safely.
• You can also make a solar eclipse box pretty easily with something like a cereal box.
• Twinkl has some fantastic resources, including a Solar Eclipse PowerPoint. 
• They also have solar eclipse worksheets, and tons of resources for space in general.
  (Twinkl membership is just over £3 a month, and is incredibly good value! Sign up here.)
• Use Polystyrene Balls to create a solar eclipse model. 
• There’s also a really easy solar eclipse craft for preschoolers – two circles on a sheet of paper – but looks like an easy one for littlies.
• TES has resources in the form of worksheets for older kids here and here.

I’ll add some more here if I find more resources to use – and if you have any you’re planning on using pop the link in the comments and we’ll add it here!