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Kids Games on Constellations

Constellations are groups of stars that make a specific outline and have a story or myth to accompany them. According to the University of Wisconsin's Department of Astronomy, constellations are only mnemonics to help people remember the placement of stars. Teach children the different constellations and stories to help them remember where the star groupings are located as they gaze into the night sky.

Constellation Collaboration
- Make your own constellation drawing by using star stickers, paper and white markers. Give each child a piece of paper and star stickers to place randomly on the paper. After he is done, instruct him to make his own constellation out of the stars by drawing lines to connect the stars. Have him tell you the story that goes along with his new constellation. Make the game more challenging by asking the child to create specific shapes with the stars, such as an animal or food item.
Constellation Placemats
- Play a game of connect the dots, but with a constellation twist. Download some pictures of constellations from the Internet, but do not include the outlines -- just the star placement. Print the constellations on paper and laminate them. During dinner, or another table time, give your child a dry erase marker and the laminated paper. Watch him trace the stars to create the constellation. Make the game harder for older children by printing the constellation on paper and then adding other stars.
Candy Constellation
- Print out different constellations on index card paper, and write the stories of the constellations on the back. Laminate them to create a deck of cards. Give your child a cup full of small candy to use to create the different constellations. To play, hold up a card with the constellation, tell him the name and the story behind the constellation. She recreates the constellation with her small cup of candy. Play this game with a group of children and the first one to finish her constellation gets a piece of candy to eat.
Online Games
- Older children may enjoy playing online games about the stars and constellations. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration website offers a variety of games and activities on its website that relate to constellation placement and stories. Take advantage of the constellation finder or the space exploration game available on the website. Other sites that offer constellation games are KidsAstronomy, which offers a constellation hunt; and Crayola, which offers printable worksheets.

Kids Games