Sensory Constellation Activity for Kids (Free Printables)

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I have yet to meet a kiddo (or adult for that matter) who is not fascinated by space. This constellation activity encourages children to explore beyond our world. The printable constellations are a great way to teach storytelling and just growing the imagination.

Salt painting is a super satisfying sensory activity as you feel the grit of the salt and watch the colors spread through the constellation image.

Make Even More Crafts with Your Kids

Fun Facts About Astronomy

There are 88 official constellations.
Because constellations are so far away, it can take up to 10,000 years for us to realize changes in its position.
The largest constellation is called Hydra.
There is a constellation for each Zodiac sign.

Save this fun constellation activity for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…

Constellation craft for kids salt painting

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

Elmer’s glue
Paints (colors of your choice)
Q-tips
Salt (not in your bag, but every home has some)
Newspaper
Little cups or something to hold your watered down paint
Cardstock or construction paper
Constellation printables

Around here we keep things SIMPLE by doing more with less! Every craft project is created from the same master list of simple supplies so that you can actually fit crafting with your family into your hectic life without it feeling like another thing that you have to cross off of the to-list. Find your joy in creating together. Just fill your bag, and you’re ready.

CONSTELLATION ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Use the Constellation Printables

Print out the Constellation printable of your choice (Choose from constellations like Ursa Major, Orion, Leo, Scorpius and more!). It works best if you print onto cardstock if you have it.
OR use the printables as a template for marking the stars onto a black or dark blue piece of construction paper for a different look.

Each printable constellation has 2 versions, one with just the stars and the other with the connecting lines that make the formation of the constellation. There are 22 templates in all!

Step 2: Glue

Place the printed constellation on top of newspaper
Connect the stars to form the shape of the constellation with Elmer’s glue. Be aware that if you are using a darker paper, there will be some “bleeding” of the glue which makes the area around the constellation look like it has a kind of “glow”.

Step 3: Add the Salt

Sprinkle salt over the constellation and shake off the excess onto the newspaper. A fine salt works best.
Allow the glue to dry. *You may want to let it sit overnight.

Step 4: Paint Your Constellation Activity

Water down a couple of your favorite paints so that they are thin and runny.
*If you prefer, you can use watercolors or food coloring mixed into water. Though these items are not in your prepared bag of craft supplies.
Use a q-tip to apply each color to your painted salt constellation to make it as colorful as you want.
Allow the paint to dry .

Watch the How To Video for this Constellation Craft

Kids absolutely love learning about everything space related. Who doesn’t really? Just this morning my husband and I were watching a show about unexplained phenomena seen by astronauts through the years. (So cool!) Constellations offer us a unique way for to view the stars. Here are more constellation activity ideas from “How We Learn”.