This is a fun and easy project that kids really like. Using just some simple supplies (push pins, paper cups and a small flashlight) you can make a projector that shoots star and constellation images onto a wall. And I give you the constellations.

How it Works:

You pierce small holes in the bottom of a dixie cup. And then you shine a flashlight into the cup. This will project the constellation pattern onto a wall or dark surface.

The sheet of constellations for this project is right here (a pdf). Download it and print it up to make your constellation cups These are the patterns that you pierce onto the bottoms of the cups.

Materials Needed for this project

• Paper cups of any size
• 1 small flashlight
• a sewing needle or push pin
• scissors
• The Template with the constellations (I give you this)

Additionally, I have made improvements to this project if you would make to make your constellation cups better you should have black paint and a paintbrush.

About the flashlight. Try to get and use a flashlight with a single bulb or LED in it. There are many flashlights that have multiple bulbs in them. Those are a little bit trickier to use for this project.

A single LED flashlight

Multi-LED flashlight.

Let's Make this project

Print out the template and cut out the circular constellation discs.

I made them a generous large size to fit a variety of cups. If they are a bit big for your cups you can trim them down to size so they fit onto the bottom of the cups.

Place that constellation circle on the bottom of your cup then use a push-pin or a needle to pierce all the star holes. Once done you remove the constellation disc and set it aside for future use. Do all the constellations you like or make up more constellations. One per cup.

The constellation looks pretty good from the inside view!

You are done. Next I will show you how to project the stars onto a wall. And afterward I will show you how to make improvements to your cup projector for even better performance.

Darken the room you are in. The darker the better.

Hold the cup 3-4 feet away from the wall. This distance might vary for you depending on the size of your star holes and the strength of your flashlight.

Insert the flashlight a little ways into the cup. Don't point the light beam directly at the bottom of the cup like shown here. This will cause a lot of light interference and make fuzzy stars.

Instead, point the lightbeam at the side of the cup like this. You will get better stars.

Experiment with flashlight location and distance from the wall to get maximum performance from your constellation cup.

Okay, if you would like to make improvements to your constellation cups for better performance I have some easy tips for you.

Continue here or watch the video tutorial below

The Video Tutorial is here: