Annual Perseid Meteor Shower | EYFS & KS1 Activity Ideas

**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not affiliated with any official astronomical organisations. For accurate viewing times and scientific information about the Perseid Meteor Shower, please consult reputable sources like NASA (www.nasa.gov) or your local astronomical society.

Understanding the Annual Perseid Meteor Shower in EYFS & KS1

Get ready to look up! The Annual Perseid Meteor Shower, often considered one of the best meteor showers of the year, takes place every August, typically peaking around August 12th or 13th. It's a breathtaking celestial event where dust and debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet burn up in Earth's atmosphere, creating streaks of light we call "shooting stars."

For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this astronomical event offers a truly magical look into the wonders of space, planets, and the night sky. It's about sparking curiosity, encouraging observation, and fostering an early understanding of our amazing universe. This annual spectacle provides fantastic planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about astronomy both awe-inspiring and accessible.

Why Is Teaching About Space & Celestial Events Important for Young Children?

Integrating lessons about space, planets, and celestial events like meteor showers into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) is incredibly important for fostering their scientific curiosity, understanding of the natural world, and appreciation for phenomena beyond our immediate environment. During their early years, children are inherently curious about the world around them, including the sky above.

• Sparking Curiosity: The vastness of space and the idea of shooting stars ignite imagination and a desire to learn more about how the universe works.

• Scientific Observation: Observing the night sky or discussing meteors encourages careful observation and questioning, laying groundwork for scientific inquiry.

• Understanding Scale: Introducing planets and stars, even in a simplified way, helps children begin to grasp concepts of scale and distance.

• Vocabulary Expansion: Learning terms like "meteor," "comet," "planet," and "galaxy" enriches their vocabulary.

• Interdisciplinary Learning: Space themes naturally connect to science, maths (counting stars or planets), art (drawing rockets), and literacy (space stories).

• Connection to Nature: Recognizing that meteors are a natural phenomenon helps children connect with the broader natural world and its wonders.

Engaging Space & Meteor Shower Activities for EYFS & KS1 (0-7 Year Olds)

Making the Annual Perseid Meteor Shower a truly stellar event is easy with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on discovery, wonder, and imaginative journeys through space! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by the extensive range of printable resources we have available.

Here's some inspiration for bringing the magic of the meteor shower and beyond into your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)

• "What is a Meteor?" Exploration: Introduce the concept of a meteor or "shooting star" using our 'Space - What is a Meteor? (Free Sample)'. Discuss what they are and why they glow.

• Star Gazing (or Pretend Star Gazing): If possible and safe, encourage families to look for shooting stars on the peak night. In the setting, create a "star gazing" area with dark blankets and glow-in-the-dark stars. Our 'Star Colour Mixing Activity' can tie into the idea of different coloured stars.

• Space Role-Play Adventures: Set up a 'Space Dramatic Role Play Pack' area! Children can pretend to be astronauts, mission control, or aliens exploring new planets. Use our 'Rocket Mark Making/Writing Sheets' for mission logs, and 'Land the Space Shuttle on Earth Pencil Control Mats' for a fun activity.

• Planet & Solar System Exploration: Learn about the planets in our solar system. Use our 'Solar System 4-Piece Puzzles (Free Sample)', 'Solar System 4-Piece Puzzles', 'Solar System 4-Piece Puzzles - Colouring', 'Solar System 2-Piece Puzzles', and 'Solar System 2-Piece Puzzles - Colouring' for hands-on learning. Refer to 'Planet Fact Cards' for interesting information.

• Space Counting & Numeracy: Integrate maths by counting stars, rockets, or planets. Our 'I Spy Count & Choose - Space', 'I Spy Count & Write - Space', 'Rocket Numbers 0-50', 'Planet Earth Counting Puzzles (1-10)', and 'Space Number Multimats - Playdough, Whiteboard & Pen or Loose Parts' are versatile resources. Don't forget our 'Space - Dice Games'. For puzzles, use 'Space' Number Slice Puzzle Activities' and 'Space' Number Slice Puzzle Activities - Colouring'.

• Space-Themed Art & Craft: Provide materials for children to draw, paint, or collage rockets, planets, or aliens. Use our 'Planet Colouring Sheets (Free Sample)', 'Draw an Alien', or 'Design a Planet'. Our 'Space A4 Border Sheets (Horizontal)' and 'Space A4 Border Sheets (Vertical)' can frame their creations.

• Space Words & Sounds: Introduce vocabulary about space using our 'Space Item Word Cards' and 'Planet Words'. For phonics, use 'Astronaut Letters and Sounds Game - Phase 2 & 3 Phonics' and 'Rocket Phase 2 Words'.

• "What is...?" Posters: Use our 'Space - 'What is...' Posters' and 'Space - 'What is a Star?' Posters' to discuss various space concepts simply.

• My Space Adventure Booklet: Encourage children to document their imaginative space journeys or learning with our 'My Space Adventure - Booklet'.

• Display Lettering: Enhance your space-themed displays with our 'Display Lettering - Space - Lower Case Alphabet', 'Display Lettering - Space - Upper Case Alphabet', and 'Display Lettering - Space - Numbers'.

• Planning Support: Don't forget to check out our 'Planning - Topic Plan Ideas - Space' for broader context and more ideas.

These activities offer great inspiration for making the Annual Perseid Meteor Shower a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering a sense of wonder for the cosmos and a love for learning.

To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.

Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘Annual Perseid Meteor Shower’

Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes

More Early Years Event Pages for August

Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children

Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!

SEARCH ‘LITTLE OWLS Resources’ USING THE FOLLOWING MENU BUTTONS…

Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to the 'Annual Perseid Meteor Shower'. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any official astronomical organisations. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this event. For accurate viewing times and scientific information about the Perseid Meteor Shower, please consult reputable sources like NASA at www.nasa.gov or your local astronomical society.