Solar Eclipse Cat | Art Project for Kids

A Solar Eclipse is Groovy

I’ll admit I’ve updated my weather app to check on the forecast for Monday, April 8th, more than a few times… per day. It’s the date of the 2024 total solar eclipse and we’ll have to wait another 20 years for the next one!

If you’re planning to be in the path of totality, I know you’re hoping for clear skies to experience the full effect. A total solar eclipse looks like the entire sun is black with a ring of fire around it. It’s truly an incredible sight to witness.

Of course, to view the eclipse safely, you need special glasses. We’re taking a page from Pete the Cat and creating Magic Eclipse Sunglasses. Combining a fun art project with a well-loved picture book doubles the excitement and allows kids to connect reading, science, and art.

Let’s take a look at how to create this project – for any age. Kids can make this cat and sunglasses as simple or as complex as they desire – it’s flexible.

Scroll all the way down and click the banner to download the FREE PDF.

What you'll need for this solar eclipse cat art project:

9×12 white sulphite or mixed-media paper
Black sulphite paper (for lenses)
Pencil
Black Sharpie
White chalk pastel or chalk
Sticky note (preferably in blue)
Scissors
Tempera paint stick

Solar Eclipse Cat Instructions

Start with the bottom of the face and draw a wide, slightly angled U-shape. A little lower than center, draw an upside down triangle for the nose of the cat. At the bottom of the head, add two angled lines down for the thin neck.

Draw a line straight across the top of the forehead that dips in the center. Add two large rectangles for the lenses. Draw the bottom of the sunglasses, drawing a line parallel to the rectangle lens, having it come up near the bridge and back down like a narrow hill and completing the frame on the other side.

When the sunglasses are complete, add tall triangles for the ears.

Pick your medium of choice! The sample uses tempera paint sticks, but you can use whatever you have and love- crayons, markers, gel crayons, oil pastels, watercolors.

Color the cat and frame of the glasses. Outline the cat in black for emphasis.

Create the special lenses!

Fold the black sulphite paper in half and draw a rectangle that will fit inside the frame of the glasses.
Using the sticky part of a sticky note, trace a small circle. Lay cut-out circles on the black lenses in about the same place on each one.
Use chalk to color in the sticky note. Then smudge the chalk outward, creating the look of the rays of the sun. Carefully peel the sticky note off the paper.

Glue your black lenses in place on your cat.

Consider any background details you’d like.

Now you AND your cat are ready to experience the total solar eclipse in safety and style!

Click the banner below to download the FREE step-by-step pdf with the lesson plan.

We would love it if you’d share!

Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you make this solar eclipse cat art project with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!

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