The Perseids are one of the brighter meteor showers of the year. The Perseid Meteor shower is going to peak from August 11 to August 13 so this will be a great opportunity for you to watch a meteor shower with your kids. Here are some tips on how to watch it best!

Move as far away from the city as possible

The amount of light pollution created by city lights is immense and makes it almost impossible to see the stars and skies.The farther out you go, the more stars and shooting stars you will see. Maybe use this as the perfect opportunity to plan a family camping trip up in Troodos mountain or in villages in the country!

Head out at least 30 minutes before you intend to start watching the meteor show

This will give your eyes time to adjust. Also limit the use of all light sources e.g. flashlights, phones so your night vision can become the most effective possible.

Dress appropriately

Wear layers and carry a blanket handy. Remember you will be sitting and waiting for a long time at the coolest part of the night. So, you need to stay warm.

What to take with you

Chairs, blankets, whatever you need to rest comfortably while you wait to see the wonderful Perseids. Keep in mind too, that your kids are likely going to be either staying up really late. Keeping them comfortable will help make the whole experience more pleasurable.

Divide up the sky

Have each member of the family focus on a different part of the sky. When they see a meteor they can shout meteor and point! This makes for a fun “hide & seek” type game for the kids.

Use technology

Consider installing a stargazing app on your tablet or phone. Simply point your device at the sky and it will highlight all the stars and constellations so you know what you are looking at. Note that these apps do not show the meteors, so put it away once the show starts.

Watch for different colours

Some meteor showers are extremely colourful. So pay close attention and see what colours you notice in the sky. Some meteors will also leave a tail, known as a train, behind them that can last for a while.