Discover why the Sun and Moon shine from above in this beautiful African folktale that teaches children about friendship, hospitality, and our natural world. Plus, check out our easy preschool art project to bring this ancient story to life! Here’s an easy, fun art project for preschoolers based on the folktale:

Sun and Moon Sky Mobile

Materials:

• Paper plates (3 per child)
• Yellow and silver/white paint (or crayons/markers)
• Blue construction paper
• Blue tissue paper scraps
• String or yarn
• Hole punch
• Safety scissors
• Glue
• Markers

Instructions:

1. Create the Sky Base:
   • Help children paint or color one paper plate blue to represent the sky
2. Make the Sun and Moon:
   • Have children paint the second paper plate – yellow (sun)
   • Have children paint the third paper plate – silver/white (moon)
   • Add facial features with markers if desired
3. Create Water:
   • Cut wavy strips of blue tissue paper or construction paper
   • Glue these to the bottom portion of the blue sky plate
4. Add Clouds:
   • Glue cotton balls to the sky plate
5. Assembly:
   • Punch holes in the top of the sky plate and in the sun and moon pieces
   • Help children tie string through the holes to hang the sun and moon from the sky plate
   • Add a string at the top of the sky plate for hanging

Teaching Friendship Through African Folktales This project reinforces the story by showing how the Sun and Moon now hang in the sky above the water. It’s tactile, colourful, and allows for creativity while being manageable for preschool motor skills!

While making the mobile, talk about how the sun and the moon and the water were friends and discuss the importance of friendship.