Print out the NASA star finder chart for the current month. Fold on the diagonal both ways, crease well and unfold. Place square with the printed side down. Fold each corner to the center and turn the square over. Fold the corners to the center again. Fold in half both ways. Slide fingers into the pockets like an origami fortune teller. Choose an inner flap to open and face the direction of the horizon for the indicated section of sky. Try to find the constellations shown for that celestial quadrant.
Cut a 14-inch circle out of black paper. Roll another piece of black paper into a 12-inch diameter cylinder and secure the seam with tape or staples. Lay the flat circle over one end of the cylinder. Cut slits in the edge of the circle and fold the flaps down around the edge of the cylinder. Use a pencil to make a mark every half inch around the edge of the circle. Draw a line that connects each mark to the center to form 28 wedge sections. Use a star chart to identify which constellations are visible at the time of year you wish to reproduce. Use a tack or small nail to recreate these patterns on the circle, using the wedges to help you place the constellations correctly in relation to one another.
Print out a circular star chart and wheel holder. Cut the center out of the holder so that the star chart fits in the window. Fold the lower edge of the holder back to form a pocket to hold the star chart at the right height to show in the window. Secure the edges with tape or staples. Turn the wheel to align time and date. Determine which direction you are facing and turn the whole apparatus so the corresponding horizon is opposite your body. Check the wheel for constellations that should appear in that part of the sky and locate them.
Lay an old refrigerator box on its long side, closing off one end and leaving the other open. Spray paint the inside of the box black or cover it with black poster paper. Use an awl to punch constellation patterns in the top of the box. Fasten a black curtain over the open end. Place the box in a brightly-lit room or shine a bright light on it. Let people take turns crawling into the miniature planetarium to view your constellations and try to identify them.