For kids, this could be a significant moment in their little lives. They could be inspired to learn more about space and science in general. For older students, it could trigger exciting new career goals. For you, parent, the eclipse will give you the opportunity to create a memory your children won’t forget.

As the big event gets closer, some schools have decided to close on Aug. 21, simply because they can’t handle the logistics of wrangling a thousand kids to watch the solar eclipse. That makes sense. It’s unfortunate for parents who aren’t going to be able to arrange child care that day, let alone child care that will help the kids watch the eclipse. But I understand the eclipse may be a burden – particularly when special equipment and planning is needed to ensure the kids are able to watch it safely.

Some of the letters I’ve read from schools to parents, though, have made me anxious. They include phrases like “the dangers of watching this event.” That can easily be interpreted as, “this event is dangerous and should not be watched.” I hate to think that kids – or anyone, really – missed out on the eclipse because they thought it was something to fear.

If your child’s school is closing, I hope the letter encourages parents to watch it with their kids and explains how to do it safely. If I were writing it myself, here’s what it would say:

Dear parent,

A really exciting thing is happening on Monday, Aug. 21 – a solar eclipse! For many people, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see our solar system in action. And it’s a great teaching moment for our kids.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking our view of the sun. The eclipse will occur across the continental United States on Aug. 21. It will start on the West Coast and end on the East Coast. Everyone in the Continental U.S. will be able to see at least a partial eclipse on this day.

We can’t stare at the sun without protective eyewear, though. That means a little bit of preparation is needed before Aug. 21.

Here’s how to watch it safely with your kids:

Locate some solar eclipse glasses. Some libraries and museums are giving them away for free. If you can’t find a free pair, you can buy them online from one of the reputable vendors at the bottom of this email.

Make sure your child’s glasses fit his or her face. If they’re too large, you may be able to cut and tape them at the nose to make them smaller. Your child should be able to see through both of the dark lenses.

Prior to the eclipse, explain to your child that we shouldn’t stare at the sun because it will damage our eyes. But also let them know that with these special glasses, we CAN look at the sun so we can see this awesome event. It may also be helpful to explain that they have to keep their glasses on because that’s the only way to see the moon moving in front of the sun. Without the glasses, the sunlight is too bright and you won’t be able to see anything!

During the eclipse, keep the glasses on while you want to look at the sun. It’s a long event, so it’s okay for your child to take the glasses off if he or she wants to do other things. Just put them back on before you look at the sun again.

If you aren’t able to get the special glasses, there are other ways to “watch” and enjoy the solar eclipse:

– One way is through a camera obscura. Take a box – a shoebox works well – and poke a very small hole in it on one end. When you point the hole toward the sun during the eclipse, you’ll be able to see the moon covering up the sun on the opposite side of the box, where the light shines through.

– You can also watch the ground for something special. It’s similar to the way that you can see the eclipse in a camera obscura shoebox, the space between leaves creates little holes where the light passes through, and the result is thousands of little solar eclipse shadows on the ground.

– You might also enjoy paying attention to how the ambient light changes during the eclipse. It may become a little bit cooler, too. Animals may become very quiet – or perhaps your neighborhood dogs will start barking! It will be fascinating to see how nature responds to this event.

The most important thing is to enjoy this special event safely with your child – no matter how you decide to view it. It will be a memory you’ll never forget.

Sincerely,

Angela Fritz, Science enthusiast/Space nerd

Here’s a list of eclipse glasses brands and vendors from the American Astronomical Society:

Brands (Products)

American Paper Optics (Eclipser) / EclipseGlasses.com

APM Telescopes (Sunfilter Glasses)

Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold Film)

Celestron (EclipSmart Glasses & Viewers)

DayStar (Solar Glasses)

Explore Scientific (Solar Eclipse Sun Catcher Glasses)

Lunt Solar Systems (SUNsafe SUNglasses)

Meade Instruments (EclipseView Glasses & Viewers)

Rainbow Symphony (Eclipse Shades)

Seymour Solar (Helios Glasses)

Thousand Oaks Optical (Silver-Black Polymer & SolarLite)

TSE 17 (Solar Filter Foil)

Vendors

Adorama Camera

Agena AstroProducts

Alpine Astronomical

AmericanEclipseUSA.com

American Science & Surplus

AstroBox/EclipseKit.com

Astronomers Without Borders

Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Astronomy Magazine / My Science Shop

B&H Photo Video

Carolina Biological Supply Company

Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project

Company Seven

David Chandler Company

Discover Magazine / My Science Shop

EarthSky.org

Eclipse2017.org

EclipseGlasses.co.uk

EclipseStuff.com

Explore One

Flinn Scientific

GreatAmericanEclipse.com

High Point Scientific

Khan Scope Centre

Lire la Nature & Astronomie Plus

MMI Corporation

NationalEclipse.com

Oceanside Photo & Telescope

Online Science Mall

Ontario Telescope & Accessories

Optics Planet

Orange County Telescope

Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

Sky & Telescope Magazine / Shop at Sky

SkyNews Magazine

Space Racers / AugustEclipse.com

Space Update

Starizona

Steve Spangler Science

Woodland Hills Camera & Telescopes

Retail “chains”

7-Eleven

Bi-Mart

Casey’s General Store

Circle K

Hobby Town

Kirklands

Kroger

Love’s Travel Stops

Lowe’s

Menards

Pilot/Flying J

Toys “R” Us

Walmart

Online vendors:

123 Sales

3Dstereo.com

Educational Innovations

Electronic Analyst

Firefly Buys (FFB)

Fred Meyer

Freedom Hill

Mega-Fun Toys

Off the Wall Toys & Gifts

Run to Shop

Skyhawk Ventures

Soluna/GSM Sales

Squirrellynuts

Your 5 Star General Store