Stargazing is a great way to introduce children to the science of astronomy. Kids love finding the pictures that the constellations form in the sky and seeing how other planets look from Earth. Bring along a map of the night sky (see Resources) to help identify the stars, and binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look. In addition to finding the positions of various celestial bodies, you can tie in the mythology behind the constellation figures, or explain how stars and planets are formed.
Birds, with their powers of effortless flight, have always fascinated humans. Bring in some feathers for your kids to examine and discuss basic lift and aerodynamics. After your students understand the basics of how birds fly, introduce the concept of migratory birds. National Geographic suggests providing blank world maps for each child and having them track the journey of the Arctic Tern, which migrates from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year.
Teach kids basic facts about the sun, including the fact that it is actually our closest star. Growing some seeds will help you explain the crucial role the sun plays in powering life on Earth. Another simple experiment involves heat absorption, and can teach kids about the effects of different colors in sunlight. Fill two glasses with water, wrapping one with white construction paper and the other with black. Leave them out in the sun for a few hours, and then use a thermometer to measure the difference in temperatures.
Rainbows seem magical to children, especially those who know the legend of the pot of gold at the end. Explain how rainbows are formed by the reflection of sunlight through raindrops, and then demonstrate with a half-full glass of water. Hold the glass in the sun over a white piece of paper to show the separation of the colors of white light. You can also hang some prisms in the window for rainbows all day long.