Hobbies And Interests
Getting Started
Take your child outdoors at night to observe Polaris. You may need to find the Big Dipper or Ursa Major first, whose spoon end points directly to Polaris and Ursa Minor, which is another name for the Little Dipper. Older children can observe the Little Dipper at different times during the night and note any changes it makes in position. Bring a notebook with a pencil to draw the constellation and try to pinpoint its position at various times in the night.
Indoor Planetarium
Create an indoor planetarium. Paint the entire interior and exterior of a large appliance box black with acrylic spray paint. Cut out a small door and draw the Little Dipper constellation using a piece of white chalk inside the planetarium box. With the tip of your utility knife or sharp scissors, poke small holes for each star in the constellation. Insert a light from a white Christmas light set into each star hole you poked out. After each star is filled, an adult plugs the lights into the outlet. Invite the children into the planetarium.
Flashlight Constellation
Shine your own Little Dipper by repurposing an old metal can and a flashlight. Draw the constellation's mirror reflection onto the bottom of the can. With a hammer and a nail, punch out each star with the help of an adult. Once all the holes are complete, darken the room and flash a light through the can to view the Little Dipper on a wall or ceiling.
Creative Story
Various cultures created stories surrounding the constellations and gave them names to help recognize and describe them. The Little Dipper is also known as the Little Bear by the ancient Greeks. Invite your child to imagine a new myth about Polaris and the six other stars in the constellation. For example, your child can pretend that the group of stars is actually a long snake with a forked tongue. The bright North Star could be the snake's eye.