88 Constellations: Constellation-Inspired Solitaire and Printable Flash Card Game

According to NASA, there are 88 official constellations, and this game includes every single one. These beautiful, ancient star formations often have Latin names due to the close historic relationship between Rome and astronomy.

The deck features all the Zodiac signs, such as Aquarius the Water Bearer, Cancer the Crab, Leo the Lion, and Taurus the Bull. You'll also encounter classic mythological constellations like Andromeda, the Ethiopian Princess, Pegasus, the Winged Horse, and Hydra, the Sea Serpent.

Then there are the animal constellations, including Canis Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, Delphinus the Porpoise, and Cygnus, the Swan. Draco, Lynx, and Scorpius also appear throughout the deck.

Additionally, every card explains when the constellation is viewable and in which hemisphere.

Since time began, the stars have guided travelers, tracked time, and told stories. In fact, the very first reference to astrology was around 160 BC, over 2100 years ago! Constellations have also been used throughout history and across many different cultures to connect with the divine, make predictions about the future, and represent legendary beings or creatures.

It's clear that humans have gathered together and observed the heavens to share ancient wisdom with their young and inspire people to achieve great feats or learn important lessons. Now, it's your turn!

Using these cards with their easy star constellations, anyone can learn how what's above affects what's below.

1. Simplifies constellations for kids

Constellations are an ancient form of knowledge that's not taught much in schools these days. However, learning about star formations is a valuable skill that teaches kids about direction, how the different seasons affect which constellations are visible, and how explorers used the skies as a natural GPS. For example, some easy star constellations, like the Crux (the Crucifix), point southerly, while others, like Orion, run roughly from east to west.

Constellations can also teach kids about mythology and ancient stories. The Ancient Greeks believed that the Olympians put objects, animals, and people in the stars to teach us lessons about proper behavior, while the Romans believed the night sky showed their destiny in zodiac signs and horoscopes. Many of the characters you'll come across when playing Solitaire with the 88 pictures of constellations are historic and cultural legends of the past, and each has a valuable lesson.

2. Improves memory

Solitaire is frequently appreciated for its memory-enhancing skills. To successfully play this game, you must rely on your memory of where a card was placed last. This helps promote cognitive activity and teaches kids important mental skills for being more focused.

As you see the 88 constellations' names and pictures while you play, you'll also become familiar with these patterns and what each of them means. In time, you'll realize you've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and can recognize many of the constellations from memory without even trying!

3. Motivation to spend time outdoors

Learning about constellations can inspire kids and adults to explore the outdoors and experience these natural skylit masterpieces in person. Once you know about the beautiful and historical world of constellations featured in the pack of cards, you will definitely want to see them in real life, and there are so many benefits to doing so.

Going outdoors and stargazing is good for your mental health—a fact that a 2016 study confirmed when participants said that they experienced numerous benefits, including feeling positive emotions, enjoying a variety of transcendent thoughts and experiences, and feeling a sense of personal growth from developing skills.

If you want to encourage more time outdoors with your family, playing this game with them is a great start.

4. Promotes mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being totally present and self-aware, often in silence. Entering a meditative state has numerous mental, emotional, and even physical benefits - each of which can be reaped through playing memory-enhancing focus games like Solitaire.

Practicing mindfulness is a great activity for children and anyone who wants to experience more inner peace and self-awareness in their lives. With enough practice, this game can help you achieve it!

5. Great camping activity for kids

One fun way to merge the game version of these 88 constellations with their real-life counterparts is to take your friends or family on a constellation-themed camping trip. On your trip, you can whip out a printed deck and play the game as a group while under the stars. You can also keep a list of the 88 constellations' names and pictures handy as an extra reference point.

Find a spot that is nice and far outside of the city so that there is as little artificial light as possible, and you can identify any constellations visible in your area. This is a great boredom buster, and you can even add a competitive element to it, too, to keep kids entertained and engaged. For example, the first person to spot a constellation wins a prize, or the first person to match a card to a constellation in the sky gets a reward.

6. Perfect for astronomy club activities

If you are already quite interested in astronomy or are keen to learn more, joining a constellation club is a great idea. You can talk to other people with the same interest in the starry night sky and discuss theories about why certain names came into existence.

Of course, there's no age limit here, either. Joining an astronomy group is a great way to make learning about constellations for kids more enjoyable and interactive. Most importantly, you can play Constellation Solitaire as a group!

Learn All 88 Constellations' Names And Pictures By Playing Cards

There's no better way to learn about the stars than with a deck of cards featuring constellations with pictures. This Solitaire deck features all 88 pictures of constellations for an even deeper understanding of astronomy for improved memory and fun.

If you want to simplify constellations for kids or memorize them for yourself, you need to get playing!