The Solar Eclipse 2024 was a big event for us. I set up a special space invitation to play in the morning for the kids (3 and 5). The kids were so excited about the upcoming eclipse and the space themed toys allowed them to explore their curiosity about space and eclipses.
I put our new Wonderie Space The Solar System Play Cloth on our Tuff Tray and laid out some of our space-themed toys. The regular size Wonder play cloths fit perfectly in the Tuff Tray. I added in the Grapat Dear Universe Set, Sewing Seeds Play’s Space felt Friends, our resin and felt stars and an Astronaut Gem Block made by Tommy Tran.
For a little added sensory fun, I made a cardboard tray/ sensory puzzle rocket ship and added our Pinecone Tray from AW and Co., turned upside down, for the rocket fire. The rocket ship sensory puzzle was very easy to make. I am becoming a little addicted to making these, because you can make anything your imagination can come up with to the exact proportions you need – and it’s free.
I simply cut a rocket ship shape out of cardboard and 3 strips. I hot glued the strips along the 3 sides and made a circle that I glued in the middle for the window. You could remove the top layer of one side of cardboard if you like. It will make the cardboard more pliable. However, I didn’t do that step for this puzzle – I didn’t find it was necessary. And that’s it. The whole thing took me 5 minutes.
Materials for the Space Tray
- Tuff Tray (Scholar’s Choice)
- Wonderie The Solar System Play Cloth (The Playful Peacock)
- Grapat Dear Universe Set (Sewing Seeds Play – save with code: HOUSEOFPLAY10)
- Felt Space Friends Bundle (Sewing Seeds Play)
- Resin stars (Little Play Lab Co.)
- Felt stars (Lovevery)
- Pinecone “rocket fire” Wood Tray (AW and Co. – save with code: HOUSEOFPLAY10)
- Astronaut Gem Block (Tommy Tran – Instagram)
- Wooden letters (Birch and Bark)
- Rocket cardboard tray (DIY)
- Dry lima beans and red lentils (Bulk Barn)
In the afternoon, we traveled south about an hour so we could observe the total eclipse. The traffic was very heavy as everyone had the same idea, so we didn’t make it to our intended destination. Once we were inside the path of totality and about 10 minutes before the total eclipse, people started pulling over on the highway. We did the same and ended up having a great view of the eclipse.
The kids had a phenomenal experience. I was a little surprised at how much they enjoyed it. For me, I think the best part was seeing how people reacted to it. Just about everyone on the highway pulled over, got out of their cars and looked up at the sky. There was a feeling of excitement in the air and a connection from sharing the experience.
I also paid more attention to my surroundings than I have during previous eclipses. As the moon covered the sun, the mosquitoes came out and it got very cold. I had to go get a sweatshirt for my daughter. As the sun emerged from behind the moon, the birds started singing their morning songs and it warmed up again. It was a wonderful experience and I’m glad we made the short trip to experience it fully.
Did you observe the eclipse?