In this astronomy for kids activity, children will use DIY magnetic LED lights to create different constellations on cookie sheets! This star science activity for kids is perfect to do at home or in the classroom.

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Kids love looking up at the night sky. The stars, moon, and planets always inspire wonder and curiosity. By building off children’s interests in space, you can foster a love of science- especially in astronomy for kids!  This post contains affiliate links.

Our most recent astronomy activity for kids, recording moon observations in our free printable moon journal, turned out to be such a fun family activity. This newest constellation activity also was super fun to do together!

Safety Note

Neodymium magnets are extremely dangerous if swallowed. If several magnets are swallowed, they could get stuck in the intestine and cause perilous complications. Do NOT use them around young children! Adult supervision is a must during this activity!  Neodymium magnets can also interfere with electronics- keep them away from computers, phones, etc. Be sure to read this safety sheet before doing this activity. 

Coin cell batteries can also be very dangerous is swallowed. Adult supervision is required when doing this activity.

Making Constellations Using Magnetic LED Lights

In this astronomy for kids activity, we used our LED throwies to make various constellations on cookie sheets. In the dark they looked just like real stars!

Materials for LED Light Constellations

• 5mm or 10mm clear LED lights (We used these 5mm LEDs.)
• Lithium CR2032 3V coin cell battery
• Strong magnets
• Black electrical tape
• Scotch tape
• Scissors
• Cookie sheet (We used this little cookie sheet.)
• Black construction paper or cardstock
• Books or pictures of different constellations (This is one of our favorite children’s books about the night sky.)

Directions for Making LED Light Constellations

1. Start by making LED throwies (with clear lights) using the LED lights, batteries, magnets, and black electrical tape. You can see how to make LED throwies in our tutorial.

2. Cover your cookie sheet with black construction paper. You can tape it on with scotch tape.

3. Tilt the bulbs up so they don’t cast light across the cookie sheet and paper.

4. Look at a constellation in a book or online to recreate on your cookie sheet with LED lights. (Here’s one of our favorite astronomy books for kids!)

5. Place the magnetic lights so the bulbs are where the stars would be in the constellation.

6. Take your cookie sheet constellations somewhere dark and observe your constellation!

Variations

• Create a constellation and have your friend try to guess which one you made.
• After making your constellation with the lights- use white crayon or white colored pencil to draw the constellation onto the black paper.

Find more STEM activities in our ebook! Learn more about it here, or buy it now here!