You can make a glow-in-the-dark star poster by tracing the Big Dipper onto black paper and marking each star with a glowing marker or sticker. Turn off the lights to see it shine.
This is a quick craft that works as a companion to a lesson on constellations. Pair it with our science section for more on the night sky, or find another quick project on our crafts page.
What you need
- Black construction paper
- A glow-in-the-dark marker
- Stick-on glow-in-the-dark stars (optional)
- A picture or star chart showing the Big Dipper for reference
Steps
- Look at a picture of the Big Dipper so you know where each of its seven main stars sits.
- Copy the pattern onto the black paper, marking a dot for each star, either with the glow-in-the-dark marker or a stick-on star.
- Trace a thin line connecting the dots in order, so the shape of the dipper’s handle and bowl becomes clear.
- Let any marker ink dry, then turn off the lights to see your poster glow.
Safety
This is a low-risk craft overall. The main thing to watch is younger children putting marker caps in their mouths, so keep the marker capped and out of reach when not in use.
Once you finish the Big Dipper, try tracing another constellation the same way, or look for more sky-themed activities on our crafts page.