Give your Halloween pumpkin a space theme with free printable stencils from NASA Space Place. The designs offer a creative activity for families who want to add a little science to their fall decorating.
Choose from a galaxy, the Sun, a volcano, Saturn, or a spacecraft. NASA also offers a PDF with the instructions and patterns.
NASA’s method uses markers and paint to decorate the pumpkin’s surface. That makes this a useful option for families looking for a no-carve pumpkin project.
The downloads are free. You will supply your own pumpkin, printing paper, tape, black marker, black paint, and a small paintbrush. Check what you already have at home before shopping for supplies.
To make your pumpkin, follow NASA’s illustrated directions:
Print the stencil you want to use.
Tape the paper onto your pumpkin, adjusting it around the curved surface.
Follow NASA’s tracing instructions to transfer the design.
Remove the paper, strengthen the outline, and fill the shape with marker or paint.
Covering the table before you begin and giving each child a separate workspace can help keep the activity organized. Let everyone choose a design before printing, especially if you are trying to save paper.
You can also turn the project into a short homeschool lesson or family learning activity. Ask each child to choose one question connected to the design: What would they like to learn about Saturn? Where would they send a spacecraft? What do they notice about the shape of a galaxy?
After decorating, have the kids make small labels for their pumpkins and share something they learned. A few pumpkins lined up together could become your own front-porch space display.
For a simpler activity, try using the printed patterns as drawing prompts on paper. Children can add backgrounds, invent a mission, or write a short story about their design.
Download the free templates and instructions from NASA Space Place.
No comments:
Post a Comment