
Elmo’s Wonderful World: Sun
Learn about our sun—a star that provides warmth, light, and energy for plants, insects, animals, and people to live and grow.
Curriculum Note: The sun is the closest star to our planet, and we can only see it during the day.
Note to parents before watching:
- Earth spins on its axis, so when our part of the earth is facing the sun, it is daytime. When it is facing away from the sun, it is nighttime.
- Though 1 of billions of stars in the galaxy. It is the closest star to Earth.
Before watching: Have your children think about all the ways the sun is important to them (keeping them warm in the winter, helping the plants in gardens grow, giving us sunlight during the day, and casting shadows).
After watching, lead a conversation with your child(ren) with these questions:
- Is the sun a planet or star? What is a star?
- Why do you think the sun is important for you and me? For plants? For all life on Earth?
- Why is it light during the day and dark at night?
- How do you make a shadow? What is a shadow?
Keep the learning going with this activity:

Bug Boogie
Sing and dance with Elmo, Abby, and some bug pals and learn the wonderful things that insects do for plants and gardens.

Exploring Sunshine & Shadows
A fun science experiment for kids to learn about the sun.

Sounds of Rain
You and your child can create the many sounds of a rainstorm through play and arts and crafts!

Plant, Water, Grow!
Use this fun science experiment to teach kids about how plants grow.

Insect Scavenger Hunt
Embark on a scavenger hunt together with little ones to look for insects!

Zap Game
Play this fun game to learn more about insect metamorphosis.