Picnic under
the stars

01   Gather what you have

For the picnic: a blanket, sandwiches or wraps, fruit, and water. A porch or living-room floor works just as well as a backyard.

For the stars: a flashlight, scrap paper, a pencil or crayon, and scissors. Tape is optional. An adult can cut the paper for younger children.

02   Make a flashlight constellation

1. Cut five to seven small stars or circles from scrap paper. Simple dots drawn on a sheet work too.
2. Arrange them on a larger piece of paper. Connect them with pencil lines to make a shape no one has seen before.
3. Dim the lights or wait for dusk, then shine the flashlight on your paper constellation. Give it a name and let each person add one sentence to its story.
4. If the sky is clear, look up together for a few minutes. You can enjoy the real stars without needing to identify any.

Short on time? Draw three dots, connect them, and make up a name.

03   Eat outside, or bring the picnic in

1. Make easy sandwiches or wraps with fillings your household likes. An adult handles any slicing. Add fruit and water.
2. Spread the blanket, bring out supper, and take turns telling the story of your new constellation.
3. On a chilly or rainy evening, picnic on the floor near a window and turn down the room lights for the flashlight part.

Keep perishable fillings chilled until you are ready to eat. No special equipment or printing is needed.