I’ve been putting together some moon and star gazing resources for the kids, gathered into one spot.  Most of the books I’ve had around for years gathering dust on the bookshelf, but now that I’ve brought them out and arranged them in a basket, the kids are spending more time with them.  Some of my favorites:

Glow-in-the-Dark Constellations by C.E. Thompson

The Usborne First Encyclopedia of Space

365 Starry Nights by Chet Raymo (suitable for older kids and teens)

I never knew much about the night sky when I was a kid, so I’ve been grateful that my husband has always shared his passion for astronomy with our children.  The stars become like old friends to children when they visit them often.

All the kids now have their own binoculars for their field bags so they are ready to go. (I’m also making them all new field bags for our nature hikes.  I’ve finished two.  Can’t wait to share them!)  For small kids, little is more frustrating than standing around while your sibling hyper-ventilates over something cool they see through the only pair of binoculars on an outing.  Now they all have their own and the younger kid are learning to take care of them.  (I hope.)

We had a great view of Venus right from our own street recently so we were out the door lickety split with our binoculars, some of us without shoes!

Then, a few days later, a friend of ours asked if we wanted his telescope as he never used it.  Um, YES!  It’s a very nice one, with a Newtonian reflector and handheld control.  We drove out into the hills to give our new telescope a spin — we thought we would view the moon and perhaps catch some of the Perseids.  Didn’t see many meteors but the view of the moon was incredible — very crisp.  It left an impression on all of us.

But, darn it, it’s very difficult to stand by while your sibling hyper-ventilates over the view through the only telescope on an outing!

He got his chance, then enjoyed some hot cocoa when we got home. 🙂