Pipe Cleaner Constellations
Pipe cleaner constellations are not only fun but provide children with a concrete representation of constellations. Those invisible lines we use in the night sky to create constellations come to life with this engaging activity
Materials
- 1+ packs Pipe cleaners or chenille sticks. (Glitter chenille sticks make this extra-colorful!) The exact number of packs will vary depending on how many are in the pack and how many children are doing the activity. I’d go with at least one pack per child.
- 1 container Beads with a hole in them. You can use round pony beads or star-shaped beads.
- Scissors that will cut the wire of the chenille sticks
- Constellation cards from the printable pack
Instructions
- Select a constellation from one of the cards.For younger children, start with an easy constellation.
- Shape the chenille stick to match the constellation. You will most likely have to cut and attach pieces. This step will help your child achieve the overall shape. Some of the constellation outlines get interesting! Your child will discover that they have to twist pieces together.
- There is no right or wrong way to get the constellations put together. This project is an excellent opportunity for children to try their ideas, undo them, and try again! STEM is like this—testing ideas and coming up with solutions when ideas don’t work well.
- Do not attach anything until the beads are threaded onto the pipe cleaners.
- Fold over loose ends with a bead to prevent the bead from sliding off.
- Use thread or string to hang the constellations from the ceiling or an overhead light fixture. (We hung ours from the light over our kitchen table.) Some friends used theirs as ornaments on their Christmas tree!