Crafts: Solar System Mobile & Galaxy Watercolor Art

Crafts: Solar System Mobile & Galaxy Watercolor Art

Okay listen—sometimes homeschooling turns into cosmic chaos, and I fully support it. There’s something wildly therapeutic about flinging paint around while pretending you’re NASA’s newest recruit with glitter glue in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Today we’re blasting off into art class with two space-themed projects that are as educational as they are delightfully messy:

✨ A Solar System Mobile that lets your kids (and let’s be honest, you) hang the planets in perfect wobbly alignment.

🎨 And a Galaxy Watercolor Art project that’s basically therapy disguised as painting.

We’re talking sparkly orbits, salty nebulae, paint-splattered shirts, and probably at least one moment of “is this Jupiter or a meatball?” But that’s part of the fun. Ready? Let’s make the universe.

☀️ SOLAR SYSTEM MOBILE

You’ve seen them—those hanging planet mobiles that make you want to immediately redo your entire ceiling decor? Yeah. We’re making one. But our version involves more personality, more chaos, and probably a touch of glitter in your hair.

Supplies:

Black or white cardstock (or cut up cereal boxes—reduce, reuse, re-orbit)

Paint (acrylic or tempera works great)

Paintbrushes

Scissors

String, yarn, or fishing line

Wire hanger, stick, or wooden dowel

Hole punch or something pokey (technical term)

Glue

Optional: glitter, metallic markers, sequins, googly eyes (because Pluto deserves one)

How to Make It:

Draw your planets. Different sizes—Mercury’s a marble, Jupiter’s a beach ball. Don’t forget the Sun!

Paint them. Go classic or chaotic. Saturn doesn’t need to be beige. Add texture by sponging or flicking paint for that space dust effect.

Cut them out once dry, unless you like cosmic fingerprints as a motif.

Punch holes and thread your string through.

Tie them onto your hanger/stick at varying lengths so it looks like they’re orbiting and not forming a conga line.

Hang it up. You did it. You literally made a miniature solar system. You’re basically a celestial architect now.

🪩 Bonus tip: Add constellation cutouts, name labels, or even tiny rocket ships between planets for a full “living museum exhibit” vibe.

🎨 GALAXY WATERCOLOR ART

This one? Gorgeous. Cathartic. Messy in a way that’s good for your soul. It’s all about letting watercolor do its thing and watching an accidental masterpiece happen.

Supplies:

Watercolor paper (the thicker, the better)

Watercolor paints (or thinned-down acrylics)

Brushes or sponges

Cup of water

Paper towels

Salt (yes, actual salt—trust the process)

White gel pen or white paint (for stars)

Optional: metallic pens for constellations and sparkle

How to Make It:

Get your paper damp. Use a big brush to wet the surface—don’t drown it, just a nice cosmic mist.

Add your colors. Purples, blues, pinks, and blacks. Let them blend and swirl like interstellar soup.

Sprinkle salt while it’s still wet. The salt will absorb pigment and leave tiny star-like bursts. It’s actual magic.

Walk away. Let it dry completely (seriously, don’t poke it).

Brush off the salt and reveal your galaxy.

Flick on stars with white paint or a toothbrush, or dot constellations with a pen. Bonus points for naming your own nebula.

🌌 Optional: Outline planets, rockets, or the Moon once dry to turn your cosmic chaos into a legit art piece.

🧠 Bonus Learning Moment

You can sneak some science in here, too—talk about the order of the planets, gravitational pull, or why stars look like tiny salt flakes (okay, not exactly, but we’re having fun here). It’s equal parts art class, science lab, and stress relief.

When you’re done, hang your Solar System Mobile near your Galaxy Art and bask in your home-made universe. Congratulations—you’ve officially brought outer space to your living room, and all it cost you was a little glitter and sanity.

Space Crafts That Are Out of This World: DIY Galaxy Slime, Nebula Jars, and Star String Art

Crafts That Are Out of This World: DIY Galaxy Slime, Nebula Jars, and Star String Art

Okay, fellow parents, homeschoolers, and tiny human wranglers—brace yourselves. Today we’re going full cosmic chaos, turning your kitchen, living room, and general life space into a glittery, squishy, swirl-filled galaxy. Why? Because crafting is secretly the perfect excuse to explore the universe without leaving your house. And let’s be honest…space is just way cooler than vacuuming.

DIY Galaxy Slime: Squeeze the Universe 

Slime is basically a handheld, squishy, slightly chaotic universe, and it’s perfect for every age. 

You’ll need:

Clear or white glue

Baking soda

Contact lens solution

Food coloring (purple, blue, pink, metallic silver, black for “deep space vibes”)

Glitter, star-shaped confetti, tiny beads, or sequins for meteor vibes

How it works: 

Mix glue and baking soda, swirl in your colors like a mini galaxy, then add contact solution to make the magic happen. The slime should stretch, squish, and bounce back like a cosmic blob from another dimension.

Why it’s awesome:

Toddlers love the sensory experience—squish, stretch, poke, repeat.

Older kids can practice color mixing, layering, and swirling techniques.

Bonus chaos: make multiple slimes and swirl them together—instant cosmic nebula explosion.

Extra tips: Keep an airtight jar handy; this slime can double as a “look but don’t touch” desktop galaxy…until someone inevitably squeezes it.

This image is made using AI as I have not made this slime yet.

Nebula Jars: Mini Galaxies in a Bottle.

Nebula jars are like DIY lava lamps met the night sky. 

You’ll need:

A clear jar or bottle

Water

Cotton balls (torn into fluffy cloud bits)

Food coloring in blues, purples, pinks, and a splash of glitter

Optional: glow-in-the-dark paint for a nighttime cosmic effect

How it works: 

Layer the cotton into the jar, then drip in food coloring and glitter between layers. Swirl gently with a stick to create nebula-like clouds. The result? A tiny galaxy in your hands, full of color, shimmer, and chaos.

Why it’s awesome:

It teaches color blending and layering without even saying “science lesson.”

Great for calming sensory play—the swirling effect is mesmerizing.

Bonus: glow-in-the-dark paint makes it perfect for bedtime stargazing indoors.

Pro parenting tip: Let the kids narrate their nebula jars—“This one is Planet Glitterpants!”—because imagination is the best fuel for learning.

This image is made using AI as I have not made this yet.

Star String Art: Constellations You Can Hang 

String art is the perfect combination of tactile, visual, and slightly OCD-friendly chaos.

 You’ll need:

A wooden board or thick cardboard

Small nails or pushpins

Embroidery floss or colorful string

Hammer (for nails) or patience (for pushpins)

How it works:

Draw star shapes or constellation outlines on your board.

Hammer in nails at each star point.

Wrap string around nails, connecting stars to form constellations.

Why it’s awesome:

Toddlers can choose string colors or wrap string randomly for “chaotic constellations.”

Older kids can recreate actual star patterns—Orion, Big Dipper, maybe even make up their own.

Bonus aesthetic: it looks fancy on the wall even if your life is messy.

Extra chaos factor: Encourage them to make neon or glitter string constellations. Suddenly, your wall is hosting a cosmic rave.

This image is made using AI as I have not made this yet.

Final Thoughts:

Galaxy slime, nebula jars, and star string art aren’t just crafts—they’re tiny universes of sensory play, color exploration, and chaotic fun. They let kids (and adults, let’s be honest) touch, swirl, and create their own little corners of the cosmos.

The best part? Each craft sneaks in a mini science lesson without anyone realizing: color mixing = chemistry, layering = physics, constellations = astronomy. And you’ll get to say things like “we just made a supernova in a jar!” without needing a PhD.

So grab your glitter, jars, glue, and strings. Embrace the chaos. Celebrate the mess. And remind your little explorers that the universe isn’t neat, and that’s what makes it beautiful. 

Ocean: Shark porthole suncatchers

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Shark & Ocean-Themed Porthole Crafts – 5 Ways

These ocean crafts all create a “window into the sea” effect, with sharks and ocean animals swimming by. Choose one version or mix and match depending on the supplies you have. Each is simple, budget-friendly, and makes a great sunny window decoration.

1. Amazon Shark Porthole Kit

Best for: quick, ready-to-use activity with minimal prep

Supplies:

Shark/ocean animal porthole craft kit (includes frames, silhouettes, tissue paper, and string)

Scissors (if kit requires trimming)

Optional: extra tissue paper for more color variety

2. Paper Plate Porthole

Best for: inexpensive, kid-friendly version with a sturdy base

Supplies:

Sturdy white paper plate

Silver or gray paint (or metallic marker)

Paintbrush or sponge

Clear contact paper (sticky on one side)

Tissue paper in blue, teal, white, and gray

Shark silhouette (printed or hand-drawn on black paper)

Scissors

Hole punch & string or ribbon for hanging

Optional: aluminum foil dots or gems for “bolts”

3. Shark Silhouette Suncatcher (Not a Porthole)

Best for: a bold shark outline with stained-glass effect

Supplies:

Black cardstock or construction paper

Printed shark outline template

Clear contact paper

Tissue paper in shades of blue & teal

Scissors/craft knife (to cut out inside sections)

Tape or glue stick

Hole punch & string or suction cup for hanging

4. Faux Sea Glass Ocean Porthole

Best for: a textured, realistic sea glass look

Supplies:

Clear plastic lids (from takeout containers or jars)

Faux sea glass pieces (plastic or craft glass — avoid sharp edges)

Strong clear glue (craft glue, tacky glue, or hot glue for older kids)

Shark or fish silhouettes (optional, cut from waterproof vinyl or paper and glued underneath)

String or suction cup hook for hanging

5. All-Paper Porthole

Best for: classrooms or group crafts without messy materials

Supplies:

Black construction paper or cardstock (for frame)

Shark silhouette (cut from gray, black, or printed template)

Tissue paper in blue, teal, white

Glue stick or double-sided tape

Scissors

Optional: silver cardstock or metallic marker for “bolts”

Basic Instructions for All Versions

Create Your Frame or Shape

Cut out a porthole ring, paper plate center, or shark shape.

Prepare the Background

Add tissue paper pieces to contact paper, overlapping colors.

Add the Shark/Animals

Glue or press silhouettes onto the background.

Seal (if using contact paper)

Add a second contact paper layer to sandwich the design.

Hang in a Window

Use string, ribbon, or suction cups to display.

Tips & Variations

Add fish, seaweed, or bubbles for extra detail.

Use gold or silver cardstock for a metallic porthole look.

Layer different shades of blue for more depth.

Mix styles — you can create a porthole with a shark silhouette, or a sea glass piece with animal shapes inside.

STEM Tie-In

When sunlight passes through tissue paper or sea glass, certain colors of light are absorbed while others pass through, creating the “stained glass” look. This is similar to how water filters sunlight — reds disappear first underwater, leaving blues and greens at greater depths.

🦈 Shark Facts to Share While Crafting

Sharks don’t have bones!

Their skeletons are made of cartilage — the same flexible stuff in your ears and nose.

They’ve been around longer than trees.

Sharks have existed for over 400 million years, way before the first trees appeared.

Some sharks glow in the dark.

Certain deep-sea sharks have bioluminescence, which helps them camouflage or communicate.

Sharks lose teeth constantly.

Some species can go through 30,000 teeth in a lifetime — they just keep growing new ones.

Not all sharks are big hunters.

The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea but eats tiny plankton.

Sharks have amazing senses.

They can detect a drop of blood in the water from up to a third of a mile away.

They’re vital to the ocean’s health.

Sharks keep fish populations balanced and help coral reefs thrive.

📚 Read-Aloud & Storytime Suggestions

You can either read a picture book, a chapter from a nonfiction book, or a short article while kids work.

Picture Books (Younger Kids)

Shark Lady by Jess Keating — about Eugenie Clark, a pioneering female shark scientist.

If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams — simple but powerful on why sharks matter.

I Am the Shark by Joan Holub — fun and fact-filled, comparing different shark species.

Nonfiction (All Ages)

National Geographic Kids: Sharks! by Anne Schreiber — great mix of photos and facts.

The Ultimate Book of Sharks by Brian Skerry — stunning images and detailed info.

Short Articles or Passages

A kid-friendly shark conservation article from the Monterey Bay Aquarium or WWF.

Fun “Top 10 Weirdest Sharks” lists to keep them giggling while they glue.

Pro Tip:

If the group is restless, read one fact or short paragraph every few minutes so it feels like a fun “fact break” instead of a long lecture.

May Blog schedule and homeschool theme- Gardening

    

My adventures in homeschooling my kiddos.

Mays themes are spring, gardening, and insects. This post is all about the gardening theme! 

The spring one is already posted and the insect one will be posted shortly

I will do another post for the S.T.E.A.M. projects.

Foods:

Gardening:

"Dirt" Pudding Cups with Gummy Worms: Layer chocolate pudding and crushed chocolate cookies (like Oreos) in clear cups. Top with a few gummy worms peeking out for a fun "garden" theme. You could even add a mint leaf sprig.

"Vegetable Garden" Crudités: Spread hummus or ranch dip in a shallow dish. Sprinkle finely chopped parsley or black olives over the top for "dirt." "Plant" vegetable sticks like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and broccoli florets upright in the dip.

"Potted" Herb Dip with Veggie Sticks: Serve a creamy herb dip (like dill, chive, or green goddess) in small, clean terracotta pots lined with lettuce leaves. Surround with "planted" vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, cucumber, bell peppers) and cherry tomatoes.

Garden Fresh Salsa: Made with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños.

Flower Petal Salad: A salad with edible flowers, mixed greens, and a light dressing.

Spring Greens Salad with Edible Flowers: A vibrant salad using tender lettuce, spinach, arugula, shaved radishes, asparagus ribbons, toasted nuts/seeds, and garnished with edible flowers like pansies or nasturtiums. Serve with a light lemon vinaigrette. 

Grilled "Garden Bounty" Platter: Grill an assortment of seasonal vegetables (asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, corn on the cob, red onion wedges, maybe even artichoke halves) marinated in herbs and olive oil. Serve alongside grilled chicken, fish, halloumi cheese, or veggie burgers.

Vegetable Patch Tart or Galette: A savory tart filled with layers of spring vegetables like sliced zucchini, tomatoes, asparagus spears, caramelized onions, herbs (thyme, oregano), and goat cheese or feta, baked in a rustic crust. You could even make a lattice top.

"Build-Your-Own" Garden Bowls: Start with a base of quinoa, farro, brown rice, or mixed greens. Offer toppings like roasted sweet potatoes or new potatoes, chickpeas, black beans, corn salsa, sliced avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, shredded carrots, sprouts, pickled onions, toasted seeds, and a variety of herb-based dressings (green goddess, lemon-tahini, cilantro-lime).

"Flower Bed" Fruit Pizza: A large sugar cookie crust topped with cream cheese frosting and artfully arranged fresh fruit (kiwi, berries, grapes, melon) to resemble flowers in a garden.

Berry Patch Parfait: Layers of yogurt or whipped cream, granola ("dirt"), and fresh berries in clear glasses.

Crafts: 

Gardening:

Flower Pots: Let them decorate small pots with stickers or paint, then plant some easy flowers or herbs.

Paper Plate Gardens: Use paper plates to create a garden scene with colorful paper flowers and grass.

Seed Art: Use different seeds glued onto paper to create fun patterns or shapes. 

Flower Seed Bombs: Mix wildflower seeds with clay and compost, then shape them into balls to plant later.

"Planting" Flowers in Playdough: Let your toddler poke the flower stems into the playdough, pretending to plant them. 

Mud Kitchen Fun: Let your toddler scoop, pour, and mix the soil and water. 

Painting with Mud: Let your toddler "paint" with the mud on the paper. This is a unique sensory experience. 

Painted Rocks as Garden Markers: Let your toddler paint the rocks. You can later (with adult help) add simple drawings or letters to represent pretend plants in a play garden.

DIY Garden Markers:

Materials: Flat rocks, wooden craft sticks, ceramic tiles, permanent markers, acrylic paints, sealant (for rocks and tiles).

Mason Jar Herb Garden: Plant herbs in the mason jars and decorate them with labels and twine. This is a practical craft that can be used indoors or outdoors.

Tire Planters: Clean and paint old tires in bright colors or creative designs to repurpose them as unique planters. 

Plastic Bottle Greenhouse (Mini): Cut the bottom off the bottles and use the top portion to create mini greenhouses over small seedlings in pots.

Sensory Bin:

Digging in the Dirt Garden:

Base: Clean potting soil (ensure it's safe and not too dusty), cocoa powder mixed with rice for a darker "dirt," or shredded brown paper.

Sensory Elements: Small toy gardening tools (spade, rake, watering can), smooth river stones, plastic or wooden plant markers, toy worms, small empty pots.

Activities: Digging in the "dirt," planting the markers, finding worms, filling pots with "soil."

Colorful Veggie Patch:

Base: Dried pasta (painted in various vegetable colors like orange for carrots, red for tomatoes, green for peas), dried beans, or colored rice.

Sensory Elements: Small toy vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, tomatoes), small baskets or containers for "harvesting," green pipe cleaners (vines).

Activities: "Planting" and "harvesting" the vegetables, sorting them by color or type, creating "vines" with pipe cleaners.

Water and Mud Garden (Supervised Water Play):

Base: Shallow tub of water with a small amount of safe, clean mud mixed in (optional, for a muddy feel).

Sensory Elements: Small toy watering can, plastic flowers and leaves that float, toy frogs and ducks, smooth stones, small cups for pouring.

Activities: Splashing, pouring, floating items, pretending to water the plants. (Requires very close supervision due to water)

Herb Garden Exploration:

Base: Dried herbs (like rosemary, thyme, lavender - ensure they are safe for smelling and touching), dried leaves.

Sensory Elements: Small bowls with different dried herbs for smelling, small scoops, smooth stones, small plant labels.

Activities: Exploring the different scents of the herbs, scooping and mixing them, labeling the "plants."

Seed Sorting and Planting:

Base: A mix of different dried beans, lentils, and large seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower - ensure they are not a choking hazard).

Sensory Elements: Small bowls for sorting, small toy pots, mini gardening tools.

Activities: Sorting the "seeds" by size or color, pretending to plant them in the pots.

Activities:

Start a Vegetable Seedling Garden: Plant seeds indoors for vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, or herbs that will be transplanted outdoors later in the spring. Learn about the germination process and proper care for seedlings.

Create a Container Garden: Plant a variety of flowers or herbs in pots and learn about soil, watering, and sunlight requirements for container gardening.

Learn Basic Grafting Techniques (with supervision): If you have fruit trees, learn about the basics of grafting and potentially try a simple graft with adult supervision.

Build a Terrarium: Create a miniature enclosed garden in a glass container and learn about the water cycle and plant ecosystems within a closed environment.

Investigate Seed Dispersal: Collect different types of seeds and research the various ways they are dispersed (wind, water, animals). Design experiments to test dispersal methods.

Garden Art: Use washable paint to create flower pots or garden decorations with their handprints.

Storytime: Read garden-themed books together, focusing on colorful illustrations and simple stories.

Create a Garden Journal: Encourage them to document their gardening journey, including planting dates, growth progress, and observations about plants and insects.

Design a Garden Layout: Let them plan their own garden layout on paper, deciding where to plant different flowers or vegetables.

Start a Compost Bin: Teach them about composting and let them help set up a compost bin for the garden.

Grow Herbs: Start an herb garden and let them choose which herbs to grow. They can use them in cooking later!

Research Topics:

The benefits of companion planting: which plants grow well together and why?

How do different types of soil affect plant growth?

The role of pollinators in a garden: why are they important?

Exploring different types of vegetables: what grows best in your area?

The life cycle of a plant: from seed to harvest.

Organic gardening vs. conventional gardening: what's the difference?

Books: 

(These might change depending on what I can get at the Library and what we own, but here is a fun list of books to check out!)

Fiction:

Non-Fiction:

Picture and Board books:

Movies:

Youtube videos:

My Garden themed playlist here

ASL:

Flower: With your dominant hand, make a "5" handshape (fingers spread apart) and place it near your face. Then, move your hand outward and away from your face, as if you're showing the blooming of a flower.

Tree: With your dominant hand, form a "T" handshape (make a fist and extend your thumb up). Place your fist on top of your non-dominant arm (which is held horizontally) to represent the trunk and branches.

Garden: Use both hands in a "G" handshape (thumb and index finger extended) and move them in a circular motion in front of you, as if you are outlining the shape of a garden.

Plant: With your dominant hand, make a fist and place it palm down on the non-dominant hand, which is held flat. Then, lift the dominant hand up as if the plant is growing.

Sun: Form your dominant hand into a "C" shape and place it above your head. Move it in a circular motion to represent the sun shining.

Water: With your dominant hand, form a "W" handshape (three fingers extended) and move it downward, as if pouring water.

Grass: With your dominant hand, make a "G" handshape and move it back and forth close to the ground, mimicking the motion of grass swaying in the wind.

Seed: With both hands, make a fist and then open them slightly as if you are planting a seed in the ground. You can also mimic the action of putting a seed in the soil.

Harvest: Use your dominant hand to mimic the action of picking fruit or vegetables. You can pretend to reach up and pull down, as if you are harvesting from a plant.

Earth/Dirt: With your dominant hand, make a flat handshape (like a "B") and move it in a circular motion on the palm of your non-dominant hand, representing the earth or soil.

Fruit: Use your dominant hand to form a fist, then extend your fingers out like you're showing different types of fruit. You can also use specific signs for different fruits, like an apple or banana.

Vegetable: Similar to fruit, you can use a "V" handshape and move it around to represent different types of vegetables.

Life Skills:

These aren't necessarily life skills, but skills I still want them to learn.

For an 11-Year-Old:

Planting Seeds: Learning how to select seeds, prepare soil, and plant them properly. 

Watering Plants: Understanding the importance of watering plants and how much water different plants need. 

Weeding: Identifying and removing weeds to help garden plants thrive. 

Composting: Learning about composting and how to create a compost pile for organic waste. 

Garden Planning: Understanding how to plan a garden layout, including which plants grow well together.

 Harvesting: Knowing when and how to harvest fruits and vegetables at the right time. 

Pest Control: Identifying common garden pests and learning safe ways to manage them. 

Garden Maintenance: Regularly checking on plants, pruning, and maintaining the garden space. 

For a 2-Year-Old: 

Watering: Using a small watering can to help water plants, learning the action of pouring. 

Digging: Playing with a small shovel or trowel to dig in the dirt, which helps develop motor skills. 

Planting: Helping to place seeds or small plants in the soil with adult supervision. 

Picking Flowers: Learning to gently pick flowers or leaves, which encourages care for living things. 

Sorting: Sorting different types of seeds or leaves by color or shape, which helps with categorization skills. 

Observation: Encouraging them to observe how plants grow over time, fostering curiosity about nature. 

Playing with Soil: Sensory play with soil or sand, which is important for tactile learning. 

Identifying Colors: Recognizing and naming different colors of flowers and plants in the garden.

Other stuff:

Finn is learning to play the electric guitar, so the songs I want him to practice this month are:

Blackbird

Octopus's Garden

In the Garden

Scarborough Fair

Field Trips:

Botanical Gardens: Explore the diverse plant life and beautiful landscapes. Many have educational programs too!

Farm Visits: Check out a local farm where you can see crops, animals, and learn about sustainable farming practices.

Community Gardens: Visit a community garden to see how neighbors come together to grow food and flowers.

Nature Reserves: Take a trip to a nature reserve where you can learn about local flora and fauna in their natural habitat.

Orchards: Go apple or peach picking, and learn about fruit cultivation and harvesting.

Flower Shows: Attend a local flower show or festival to see unique plants and floral arrangements.

Gardening Workshops: Participate in a workshop at a local nursery or garden center to learn about gardening techniques.

Local Nursery or Plant Store

Coloring pages: