Annabel is fascinated by the solar system and loves learning about stars and planets. I thought it would be fun to take her to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, as it has a bunch of space and science displays, plus a planetarium. I hadn’t been to the Observatory since a field trip in the third grade, but I remembered thinking it was awesome.
I did a bunch of research and figured out the best day and time to go, but Annabel got a stomach bug the night before the planned outing. We pushed the trip back to one of the few last empty days of summer we had left, this past Monday. The Observatory sits at the top of Mount Hollywood, and it has an amazing view of Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and, on a clear day, the Pacific Ocean. The kids were blown away.
The coin-operated telescope was a hit with Annabel, even though she was mostly aiming it at the sky.
“I think I saw a bird!”
As we walked up to the building, I noticed that it wasn’t really crowded. I figured that was because a lot of schools were back in session.
And then, when we reached the doors of the Observatory, we saw the sign that said, “Closed on Mondays,” and I felt like the biggest idiot ever. After all the research I’d done (not to mention the many round-ups I’ve done for my job), I’d completely forgotten that the Observatory wasn’t open on Mondays. The kids were…not pleased.
I promised them we’d come back ASAP. I rescheduled some things and we went back yesterday. On the drive up the mountain to the Observatory, Annabel said, “Mom, you’re sure it’s open today?” I’m never going to live it down. It didn’t help that we arrived at the Observatory before it opened. The doors were closed and Annabel was like, “MOM YOU SAID IT WAS OPEN!”
Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long, and Annabel was blown away by the cool stuff inside the Observatory. The main rotunda has amazing artwork painted on the walls and ceiling:
One of the few things I specifically remembered from my third grade field trip was the giant Foucault Pendulum, a 240-pound ball that’s suspended from the ceiling. The ball swings in a constant direction while the Earth moves, and the whole thing demonstrates the Earth’s rotation.
Both kids were really into the displays on the sun. James also liked anything with buttons he could touch.
The highlight of the trip was the planetarium. It’s for kids ages 5 and up, but younger kids are allowed into the first show of the day. Both kids were totally into it – James said, “Whoooooa,” three different times during the show. Annabel said, “It was so, so, soooooo unbelievable and I want to watch it again and again!” So I’d say she liked it.
I’m excited that this trip seemed to strengthen Annabel’s love for astronomy, so I’m going to try to find some ways to encourage that (if anyone has suggestions, I would love them!). On our way home, Annabel declared that she wanted a telescope, and that she wanted to go back to the Observatory again next week. “But Mom, we have to make sure it’s open before we go again.” Never gonna live it down.
samatwitch says:
I work at the Planetarium/H.R.MacMilkan Space Centre in Vancouver, BC. Although most of our Planetarium shoes and live densities are now geared at eight year olds and up, when young ones are as enthusiastic as Annabel sounds, we encourage them. We have a YouTube channel that has short instructional videos.
I would recommend NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) for a website and http://heavens-above.com, where you can find out when the International Space Station (ISS) will be flying overhead in your area. It also lists times for other satellites and something which is endlessly fascinating to me and those are the Iridium flares. You have to scan the sky in the general area and time to catch them but when they flares for that brief moment, it’s wonderful to see.
Heather says:
This is awesome, thank you!
samatwitch says:
The problems of typing on a phone late at night: It is the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre – website is http://spacecentre.ca. As you probably figured out I meant Planetarium SHOWS and live DEMONSTRATIONS!
All the suggestions below sound great.
hulsta says:
Oh yes, try to catch ISS flying overhead with her. It is so exciting! Though, try to make sure it’s open first.
Maria says:
When I was a kid (and even when I was in high school!) I had those glow in the dark stars all over the walls and ceiling in my room. I got a star map and actually laid them out like several of the constellations. Something like that could be fun for Annie — or even making up her own constellations!
Emily says:
There are a number of star gazer apps for iPhone that identify constellations and stars. Maybe try one of those?
Heather says:
Oh yes, we have Sky Guide! We can be on that app for HOURS.
Meyli says:
Something easy to track without a telescope would be the moon! You could go out every evening and she could draw what the moon looks like. After a month, she’d have all the phases of the moon!
Add a trip to the library for kids books on moon phases, and you’ve got a whole independent study
Heather says:
Such a great idea!
Meyli says:
Also, not sure about your particular area, but a lot of science museums (big and small) have nights for sky observation. One near me has telescopes and teacher to lead a group of kids and their parents in exploring whatever is in the sky that night. The moon, certain stars, meteor showers, whatever is there. They sometimes do a campfire and smores afterwards too
Michele says:
I know nothing about astronomy, so I’m no help there, but what a cool interest for Annie to have, and for you to help her foster! And yeah…you’re going to hear “make sure it’s open first” for a while. Chalk it up to a fun family memory!
Gail says:
When I read your posts daily Heather, I so often think ho very lucky and blessed your children are to have you and Mike as parents.
Heather says:
Oh, you are so sweet! Thank you!
Lex says:
One thing my aunt did for her nephew was buy those stars that stick on the ceiling (they are like 10 bucks for 150 stars http://www.amazon.com/University-Games-19491-Wonder-Stars/dp/B00009ENDT) and using a stargazing app (http://www.imore.com/best-astronomy-apps-iphone) she aligned them with the stars above their house right around her kid’s bed time (about an hour before they go to bed). The kids get to use the app to find constellations and she tells the rated G version of the stories.
Noe says:
We started watching a show on netflix ‘Space Racers’. The show is very fact-on with help of people from NASA doing a lot of actual stuff there.
http://spaceracers.org/en
there are a couple of books we got (my son was 3 at the time but since then that’s the only thing we talked about).
http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Super-Sticker-Activity/dp/1426315562/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440084290&sr=8-1&keywords=super+space+sticker
http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-First-Space-Little/dp/1426310145/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440084327&sr=8-1&keywords=LITTLE+KIDS+FIRST+BIG+BOOK+OF+SPACE
http://www.amazon.com/Eyewitness-Books-Astronomy-Kristen-Lippincott/dp/1465408959/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440084420&sr=8-1&keywords=eyewitness+astronomy
I just read your post again and it was more about astronomy, but may be these other books/things help.
Heather says:
This is AWESOME! Thank you!
Noe says:
we have several others that are a little more ‘child friendly’ but the info is a little outdated. With New Horizons photos of Pluto, I’m sure they’re going to make a new edition
Also, if you wanna do some activities, this is something that looked great:
http://www.playathomemomllc.com/2012/05/push-light-planets/
If she’s into stars/constellations, this is also something we worked on:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452137412/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1452137412&linkCode=as2&linkId=XJNHTSNWB2IEOSSK
Noe says:
We got several things space related:
http://www.amazon.com/Wallies-Stick-Mural-Solar-System/dp/B0038R0K7A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1440084600&sr=8-5&keywords=solar+system+wall+decal
we have this in his wall and we talk about each planet every night.
http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Milton-Moon-My-Room/dp/B000EUHKUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440084654&sr=8-1&keywords=moon+in+your+room
and this has helped us with the moon phases.
Joanne M. says:
JPL has their Open House every year in the fall- it’s October 10 and 11 this year. It is SO much fun, especially for space nerds like me (and Annabel!). I am a pronounced space geek elementary teacher in Los Angeles (Manhattan Beach) and even have some space shuttle tiles in my room if she wants to see them!
Heather says:
Whoa, she’d freak over the tiles! Do you think she’s old enough for the JPL open house?
JustAMom says:
You HAVE to go back to the observatory when they have a star party!!! It is AWESOME. We usually have a picnic down lower in the park and then head up to the observatory when it gets dark. We’ve seen Jupiter’s moons…. Saturn’s rings….. it is just SO much fun – and the volunteers there really love what they do and when they have an inquisitive kid like Annie, they love it! My girl is a lot like yours and they answer all her questions and encourage her enthusiasm. It’s SO great!!
http://www.griffithobservatory.org/programs/publictelescopes.html
Heather says:
I think we’ll go to the one in September! I’d take her this Saturday, but we’re going to see a different star that night – Taylor Swift!
Laura says:
My grade 1 students were OBSESSED with astronaut Chris Hadfield’s youtube videos about what life is like in space (I was too!). Super interesting and cool and are guaranteed to get kids thinking and asking lots of questions.
This one is about what happens when you try to wring a wet washcloth in space:
Jen T. says:
That’s so cool!
Heather says:
This is so awesome! She’s going to spend hours on his videos!
Ashley says:
I’m not familiar w/ the area at all… but is this something we could do on a day trip while we’re at Disneyland in March?? My 5 year old would love it!
Heather says:
It’s doable, but a bit of a drive from Disneyland – about an hour or so!
Karen Kelly says:
Speaking of never living things down…my daughter and I flew to the West Coast to visit friends in Bakersfield. Having lived in San Francisco for 15 years I decided to take a trip up. While driving she asked me numerous times if I was sure I knew the way. I was sure. This was after the earthquake when a part of the Bay Bridge had fallen and some of the off ramps were closed. Of course, as I get over to take the off ramp I had to swerve back onto the freeway. All I heard was I thought you knew where we were going, we could have had an accident, get out the map etc etc. She still brings it up 20 years later.
kathig says:
I LOVED the planetarium as a kid, and enjoy visiting it to this day. Have you taken Annie to see the shuttle yet, at the Science Museum? In addition to the shuttle they also have a cool exhibit that she would probably love.
Heather says:
Yes, we have! I think that’s actually what started her whole fascination with space!
Maddy says:
SciShow kids on youtube has a several space videos and their stuff tends to be awesome. They also have a whole channel dedicated to space (Scishow Space) although I don’t know how age appropriate that would be for Annie. Might be worth checking out though!
One thing that is cool to do is try make a model of the solar system that is size accurate – great for showing how big space really is, and how tiny we are compared to some planets.
Erin says:
My kids (ages 10, 6 and 2) LOVE the SkyView app. I think it’s pretty neat too TBH. I like seeing the constellations and planets and star names (and even the “space junk” too)
Auntie_M says:
This is so awesome, Heather! Do you follow A Mighty Girl on Facebook? They have entire sections of women in history, fiction and non-fiction books, games and more dedicated to the space sciences. And they even are so kind as to separate them all by age groups. I’d definitely check their resources out! And, hey, they’re online, so they’re always open!
Auntie_M says:
Do you have a Dr Milton’s Moon in My Room? (My niece has both the Moon & Rainbow.)
I was looking it up on Amazon for you & was rather blown away by how many cool things were also listed on the page–including a Planitarium in My Room! And Shooting Stars!
So here is the link to the whole page! LOL
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=mh_165793011_is_s_toys-and-games?ie=UTF8&n=165793011&k=Moon+in+My+Room
Lesley says:
Not an every-day thing but maybe for a planned vacation – what about heading way away from the city (weekend camping trip in the desert, for instance) and getting to see the sky full of allll the stars we never get to see with light pollution. It always feels so magical and privileged when I’m able to see the Milky Way right over my head. Plus, if you guys have a telescope by then, perfect opportunity to pull it out and be amazed!