Why We Have Night ~ Preschool Science Experiment

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This little science project combines whole body motion and a super easy set up to teach why we have night and the concept of the earth rotating. It's the perfect interactive science experiment for preschoolers.



You will need a ball and a lamp or flashlight. Actually, the ball is optional, but it helps the kids feel like a big Earth more!

Ask your kiddos if the know why the moon and stars look like they go away each day and come back at night.

Tell your preschoolers that they are going to  be the Earth while we watch the sun come and go!  

Turn on the lamp and have everyone face the sun while they hold a ball. Tell them it's day time! They can see the sun!



Now turn everyone to face you, away from the lamp.



Tell them it's night time! They cannot see the sun, but it's still there!

Earth is always turning. When we face the sun it's daytime; when we face away, it's nighttime.  Older preschoolers enjoy this challenge question: When it is nighttime for us, is it also nighttime for kids who live on the other side of the Earth?

Practice making day and night a few more times! Repeat this chant a few times in a sing-song voice while you do:

Daytime, daytime, face the sun!
Nighttime, nighttime, turn and run!


We are sharing this nighttime preschool science activity to go with Time for Bed by Mem Fox for the Virtual Book Club! (Image is an Amazon Affiliate Link:)



The Virtual Book Club brings you new science projects and activities every single week focused around a children's book! Learn more about the Virtual Book Club (and see this month's books) here and join in the weekly science experiment fun at the Virtual Book Club Facebook Page HERE!

In the meantime, be sure to check out these other nighttime activities from the Virtual Book Club hosts:

Alphabet Activities
Beginning Sounds Rhyming Night Puzzles by Rainy Day Mum
Discover My Name in the Night Sky - Powerful Mothering

Number Activities
Star Counting Activity - Inspiration Laboratories

 Sensory Activities
Sleepy Time Sensory Playdough Big Owl Little Owl at Witty Hoots

 Cooking Activities
 Farm-Animal Bedtime Snacks that Toddlers & Preschoolers Can Make — Chickadee Lit

 Science Activities
Surprising Animal Sleep Facts - Mama Smiles
Why We Have Night Preschool Science Activity - Preschool Powol Packets

 Color Activities
How to Make a Star Garland - The Educators' Spin On It

 Pre-Writing Activities
Starlit Night in a Cup! A Fine-Motor Craft for Kids - To be a Kid Again
Puffy Paint Night Sky - Views From a Step Stool
Star Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers- Toddler Approved

 Movement Activities
Bedtime Relaxation Stretches-Sugar Aunts
Night Time Glow In The Dark Bowling - Adventures of Adam
Happy Educating,
Carla


I may share at any of these parties!




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Comments

The OT Toolbox said…
This is great! My kids are all over anything outerspace!
October 26, 2016 at 8:10 PM
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