Sometimes being frugal is key, and sometimes living in the moment is. Since we won’t have another total solar eclipse in the US until 2044, this is one of those times I’m choosing to live in the moment. Back in 2017, I didn’t realize just how spectacular and amazing the eclipse was going to be. I had never experienced one before. But I took my two oldest by myself and traveled to a spot where there was totality last minute. I’m not sure if their ages made it extra spectacular, because as a mom, you love watching your kids experience something cool and exciting, or if it was simply the eclipse itself, but it is something I will NEVER forget. That trip was amazing and I’m so glad I went. So of course, we are travelling this time, too!

Where Can the Eclipse Be Viewed?

I’m not going to pretend to be some sort of genius about eclipses. I actually get most of my information from the website Great American Eclipse. It can be viewed in 14 different states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois (that’s us!), Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. For the last eclipse, we wound up in Missouri in a town I had never heard of, and found a small park and it was perfect. This time, we’re staying in Illinois, but getting a hotel near the eclipse even a full year in advance was tough, so we still have some travelling to do that morning to get to a town in the path of totality.

What’s a Road Trip Without Snacks?

Since we’re traveling by car, it’s officially a road trip! And what good is a road trip if it’s not an excuse to eat ridiculous amounts of snacks? I decided it would be fun to plan some snacks around the eclipse, and space in general and came up with a few fun ideas! Eclipse gum is a no brainer, it says “eclipse” right in the name! Orbit gum also makes sense. We have Sun Chips and Moon Pies. Sunny D, Capri Sun and Sunkist for drinks. Starburst, starlight peppermints, and Milky Way candies are fun space themed snacks, though less directly related to the eclipse. I wanted to get some of the Space Dunk Oreos, but couldn’t find them in my area anymore. I also couldn’t find Little Debbie Star Crunch snacks. On a side note, did you know you can get most of these snacks on Amazon, even if you have EBT? Amazon makes it super simple to use your EBT card to shop for pantry items, plus by connecting your card you can save 50% on your Prime Membership! When looking for items that you can buy with your EBT card, simply check the box that says “SNAP EBT Eligible” from the filters after connecting your card. Click here to sign up!

Eclipse-Themed Activities to Enhance the Experience

In addition to the cosmic feast we’re packing, I’m planning a few eclipse-themed activities to keep everyone entertained and engaged during the journey and while we wait for the main event. Check out full details and more ideas here! We are bringing paper plates to decorate and color to wear around the solar eclipse glasses we have. We will be bringing chalk and the kids can draw the sun’s corona during the eclipse if they wish. I’m also printing out some coloring sheets for in the car. I also bought some UV beads, which I thought they might enjoy playing with before and after the eclipse, and to see what might happen during totality.

Enjoy Your Eclipse Journey

However you choose to enjoy the eclipse tomorrow, I hope you enjoy the journey. It’s not just about the awe-inspiring sight of the eclipse, it’s about the family memories we are making. From the excitement of planning and packing, to the shared laughter over space-themed snacks, each moment becomes a part of our family history. I hope this experience reminds you that it’s ok to step outside of daily routines and comfort zones to witness the extraordinary wonders our world has to offer and make time for those most important to us. You don’t have to get all the space themed snacks or have tons of activities to make time special with your family. Making the time for them and exploring the world around you is what they’ll remember the most.