Astronomy for Kids.

Jul 8, 2013

Dr, Krumenaker once said, “Astronomy is a wonderful gateway subject that can provide a ‘hook’ to the student to study many other aspects of science. It’s also an interdisciplinary subject that draws on so many of the ‘traditional’ science subjects.” My feelings exactly   Dr. Krumenaker, and that’s why I teach astronomy for kids. If you have it in mind to teach astronomy for kids, here is a list of what we have used to give you some ideas.

Enchantedlearning and StarChild were the very first thing we did for astronomy when my boys were 4, 6, 7 and 9. They all enjoyed reading about the universe, and doing some printables. We used some reference books like Stars & planets, Meteors and Comets, and Atlas of the Universe too.

The younger boys read the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2 books. They are colourful and packed with easy to understand information. They are aimed at age 4-8.

Basher Science: Astronomy: Out of this World!

Astronomy books we loved.

Cosmos: A Field Guide This is a huge hardback book, measuring 13.8 x 1.1 x 16.9 inches and needs to be read on the floor. It is one of our favourite books, and always sits on our coffee table. The pictures are huge, colourful, and often double paged. If you buy just one book on astronomy, this is it. It was about $30 new.
Star Watch: The Amateur Astronomer’s Guide to Finding, Observing, and Learning about Over 125 Celestial Objects
Soaring Through the Universe: Astronomy Through Children’s Literature
Night Sky Atlas
All the Basher books are fantastic, including Basher Science: Astronomy: Out of this World! They say they are for age 10 and up , but the colorful carton pictures are fun for all ages, my kids read them from age 7 up. We have the complete series, and they are reread multiple times.
Space Stars & Slimy Aliens We love all the Horrible Books. The Bulging Box of Books is great value, if you can get it.
Midnight on the Moon (Magic Tree House, No. 8)
Gobsmacking Galaxy (Knowledge)
The Grand Design
A Brief History of Time
Lucy and her father Stephen Hawking came together to write this sci-fi adventure series about George and his neighbour Annie. They are full of information about black holes, planets, stars, and the universe. My boys loved them.
George’s Secret Key to the Universe
George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt
George and the Big Bang
The now six books in this classic trilogy are incredibly funny, and a must for any science fiction loving astrophysicist.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Life, the Universe and Everything
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Mostly Harmless
And Another Thing Written by the Irish author Eoin Colfer, who also wrote Artemis Fowl, one of IrishWrath’s favourite series.

Cosmos: A Field Guide & Basher Science: Astronomy: Out of this World!

Astronomy DVDs

Morgan freeman does a wonderful job narrating this visual pleasing and thought provoking series.

Professor Cox shows us you can be cool and love astronomy in these BBC dvds.

We are big fans of The Great Courses. All the courses regularly go on 70% off sale, I have never purchased at full price. We have watched the following for astronomy.