Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Art · The activity desk
Invent a constellation picture
Connect drawn stars into an imaginary constellation and tell its story.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A full sheet of paper and large child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult draws five widely spaced dots on the paper.
Adult's role: Explain that a constellation is a named region of the sky with patterns people recognize. Invite the child to invent a pattern of their own.
Let's make it happen
- Turn each dot into a star with crayon marks.
- Connect some of the stars with lines to make a shape you choose.
- Name your imaginary constellation and tell someone a story about it, if you like.
Make it simpler: Connect just two dots and choose a name for the line.
Clean up: Put crayons away and save or recycle the picture.
Stay nearby while young children use crayons and remove broken pieces.