After you've participated in the Planetarium Star Show, treat your kids to a Solar System Treasure Hunt! You'll need some sort of treasure (I recommend astronomy books or a pair of my favorite binoculars, but you can also use 'Mars' candy bars or home made chocolate chip cookies (call them Galaxy Clusters) instead.
You can print out the clues and hide these around your house on a rainy day. Did you know that I made these clues up myself as a refresher course after the astronomy presentation? Enjoy!
P.S. Do you need help using your binoculars? Click here.
P.P.S. How can you tell if you have a good pair of binoculars? Click here.
P.P.P.S. How do you find meteorites tonight? Click here.
P.P.P.P.S. Want to learn how to use a telescope? Click here.
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Astronomy Clues
Click here to download the PDF version or the Word DOC version.
Download Student Worksheet & Exercises
You can print out images of each planet and match them up with the clues indicated below. Post images of each of the planets along with the clue for the next one to really make this an out-of-this-world experience!
The Sun (CLUE #1): Hand this one to the kids to get started.
This object is hot, but not on fire.
Explore the dryer but don’t perspire!
Mercury (CLUE #2): Hide this clue below in the dryer.
This planet is closest, but not the hottest.
Check the sock drawer, and don’t be modest!
Venus (CLUE #3): Hide this clue below in the sock drawer.
This planet is so hot it can melt a cannonball,
Crush spaceships, rain acid, and is in tree tall.
Earth (CLUE #4): Hide this clue below in a tree (or plant).
Most of this planet is covered with water.
Visit the bathtub without making it hotter.
Mars (CLUE #5): Hide this clue below in the bathtub.
This planet is basically a rusty burp.
Discover the refrigerator and take a slurp.
Jupiter (CLUE #6): Hide this clue below next to the milk.
A planet so large it can hold the rest,
Explore our library with infinite zest!
Saturn (CLUE #7): Hide this clue below with a stack of books.
This planet had rings, but not made of gold.
Explore near the front door like an astronaut bold!
Uranus (CLUE #8): Hide this clue below on the front door.
Smacked so hard it now rolls on its side,
Find the window that is ever so wide.
Neptune (CLUE #9): Hide this clue below by sticking it on a window.
Check the sink for hurricane,
gigantic blue farts, and diamond rain.
Pluto (CLUE #10): Hide this clue below near the sink with the TREASURE!
Instead of one there were two, then four…
Visit the mailbox for the one that is no more.
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