A solar eclipse is a really cool thing to witness and a great learning opportunity for kids. It’s a window into how the solar system works as the moon travels directly between sun and Earth. It might even inspire your little one to want to learn more about space. Talk about science in action!

Protect Your Family’s Eyes

You can’t stare at the sun without protective eyewear. It can damage yours or your child’s eyes. This means you’ll need to prepare before the big event August 21. Here’s how you and your family can view the eclipse safely.

Get some solar eclipse glasses. It’s not too late! We provide a list of places you can purchase your glasses below. It’s also important to ensure the eclipse glasses fit your child’s face. If they are too large, you might need to cut and tape them at the nose to make them kid-sized. Your child should be able to see through both of the dark lenses.

Make sure your kids understand that they can ONLY look at the eclipse through these special glasses. And that normally they shouldn’t stare at the sun because it will hurt their eyes. Plus, without the glasses, they won’t really be able to see the event because  the sun is just too bright.

If you are in the path of totality (where the moon completely blocks the sun) you can see that moment with your bare eyes.  And it’s going to be pretty magical! But after the totality ends, you and your kids need to put the special glasses back on to view the sun.

If you can’t get glasses, you can still view the eclipse through a camera obscura. Poke a very small hole in one end of a shoe box. When you point the hold at the sun during the eclipse, you’ll be able to see the moon on the opposite end of the box where the light shines through.

This is a once in a lifetime experience to share with your kids. Get your eclipse glasses or camera obscura ready so you can view this special event safely. You don’t want to miss it.

Retail Chains Where You Can Buy Safe Solar Eclipse Viewers:

  • 7-Eleven
  • Best Buy
  • Circle K
  • Kroger
  • Lowe’s
  • REI
  • Toys R’ Us
  • Walmart