Space activities for kids are a fantastic way to turn their love for rockets, planets, and stars into hands-on fun. Whether your child dreams of walking on the moon or just loves crafting and exploring, this collection of space-themed activities will keep them curious and engaged. From fizzy rocket launches to glowing constellation jars, there is something here for every little astronaut. The best part? Most of these ideas use simple materials you already have at home, so learning about space has never been this fun.
10+ Space Activities for Kids
Here are 10+ engaging space-themed activities your kids will love. Each one combines fun and learning, perfect for young explorers of the galaxy!
1. DIY Rocket Launch
This exciting activity allows kids to design, build, and launch their own rockets, teaching them basic principles of propulsion and engineering in a fun, hands-on way.
Materials Needed:
- Empty paper towels or toilet paper rolls
- Construction paper
- Tape or glue
- Decorations (markers, stickers, glitter)
- A pump (a bicycle pump works well)
- A plastic soda bottle (empty and clean)
- A cork that fits snugly into the soda bottle opening
Instructions:
- Decorate the paper towel/toilet paper roll to look like a rocket. Add fins and a nose cone from construction paper.
- Attach the decorated rocket to the cork using tape. Make sure it’s secure.
- Fill the soda bottle about one-third full with water.
- Carefully insert the cork (with the rocket attached) into the opening of the soda bottle.
- Take the bottle outside to an open area.
- Attach the pump to the valve of the soda bottle (you might need an adapter for the cork).
- Pump air into the bottle. As pressure builds, the cork will eventually pop out, launching the rocket!
2. Edible Solar System Model
Combine learning with a tasty treat! Kids can create a delicious model of our solar system, helping them visualize the planets and their relative sizes and positions.
Materials Needed:
- Various round snacks of different sizes (e.g., grapes, blueberries, oranges, melons, cookies, gumballs, chocolate-covered cherries)
- Long pretzel sticks or skewers
- A large plate or tray
Instructions:
- Discuss the planets in our solar system and their order from the sun.
- Assign each snack item to a planet based on its approximate size (e.g., a large melon for Jupiter, a small grape for Mercury).
- Arrange the “planets” on the plate or tray in the correct order from the “sun” (you can use a larger yellow food item for the sun).
- Use pretzel sticks or skewers to connect the planets, showing their orbits if desired.
- Once the model is complete, enjoy eating your solar system!
3. Stargazing Adventure
Ignite a love for the night sky by taking kids on a stargazing adventure. This activity encourages observation and helps them appreciate the vastness of space.
Materials Needed:
- A dark location away from city lights
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- A telescope or binoculars (optional, but enhances the experience)
- A star chart or stargazing app
Instructions:
- Check the weather forecast for a clear night.
- Find a safe, dark spot with an open view of the sky.
- Before heading out, briefly discuss constellations, planets, and interesting celestial objects that might be visible.
- Lay out blankets and get comfortable.
- Point out visible stars, planets, and constellations. Use a star chart or app to identify them.
- Encourage kids to make wishes on shooting stars (if visible) or simply enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
4. Astronaut Training Obstacle Course
Get kids moving with an astronaut training obstacle course! This activity promotes physical activity, problem-solving, and imaginative play related to space travel.
Materials Needed:
- Household items for obstacles (e.g., pillows, blankets, chairs, hula hoops, tunnels, jump ropes)
- Markers or signs for different “training stations”
Instructions:
- Design a course with various “training stations” inspired by astronaut training. Examples of stations:
- Moonwalk: Walk slowly and with big steps over pillows or soft surfaces.
- Asteroid Field Navigation: Crawl through a tunnel or under blankets without touching imaginary “asteroids.”
- Zero-G Balance Beam: Walk heel-to-toe on a taped line or a low beam.
- Rocket Launch Countdown: Jump up and down 10 times, counting backward from 10.
- Space Food Retrieval: Crawl to a designated spot to “retrieve” a snack.
- Have kids complete the course, timing them or encouraging them to improve their “astronaut skills.”
5. DIY Galaxy Jar
Create a mesmerizing galaxy in a jar using simple materials. This sensory activity is calming and visually appealing, representing the beauty of distant galaxies.
Materials Needed:
- A clear jar or bottle with a lid
- Cotton balls
- Water
- Liquid tempera paint or food coloring (various colors like blue, purple, pink)
- Glitter (silver, iridescent)
Instructions:
- Fill the bottom of the jar with about an inch of water.
- Add a few drops of one color of paint and a generous amount of glitter. Stir gently.
- Stretch out a few cotton balls and push them into the jar, letting them soak up the colored water.
- Repeat the layers with different colors, glitter, and cotton balls until the jar is full.
- Fill the remaining space with water and seal the lid tightly.
- Shake the jar gently to swirl the “galaxy” around.
6. Space Story Writing
Spark creativity and imagination by encouraging kids to write their own space-themed stories. This activity enhances writing skills and storytelling abilities.
Materials Needed:
- Paper
- Pencils, pens, or crayons
- Optional: Space-themed prompts or images
Instructions:
- Brainstorm ideas related to space: aliens, astronauts, new planets, spaceships, cosmic adventures.
- Provide a few prompts if needed, such as:
- “What if you discovered a new planet?”
- “Write about an alien’s first day on Earth.”
- “Imagine you’re an astronaut on a mission to Mars.”
- Encourage kids to develop characters, a plot, and a setting for their story.
- They can write a short story, a comic strip, or even a play.
- When finished, encourage them to read their stories aloud or share them with others.
7. Planet Mobile
Create a beautiful and educational planet mobile to hang in a child’s room. This craft reinforces the order of the planets and their visual characteristics.
Materials Needed:
- Styrofoam balls or craft foam balls of various sizes
- Paint (acrylic or tempera)
- Paintbrushes
- Wire hangers or wooden dowels for the mobile structure
- String or fishing line
- Optional: glitter, googly eyes, pipe cleaners for Saturn’s rings
Instructions:
- Research the colors and approximate sizes of each planet.
- Paint the Styrofoam balls to represent each planet (e.g., blue and green for Earth, red for Mars, striped for Jupiter). Add rings to Saturn using pipe cleaners or a paper circle.
- Let the painted planets dry completely.
- Attach string or fishing line to each planet.
- Assemble the mobile structure using hangers or dowels.
- Tie the planets to the mobile structure, arranging them in their correct order from the sun (which can be a larger yellow painted ball or a cut-out).
- Hang the mobile and enjoy your very own solar system!
8. Constellation Craft
Learn about constellations by creating your own starry night sky. This activity helps kids recognize common constellations and develop fine motor skills.
Materials Needed:
- Dark blue or black construction paper
- White pencil or chalk
- Sticker stars or glitter glue
- A sharp pencil or pushpin (for adult supervision)
- Flashlight
Instructions:
- Choose a few well-known constellations (e.g., Ursa Major/Big Dipper, Orion, Little Dipper).
- On the dark paper, use a white pencil or chalk to draw the outline of the chosen constellation and mark where the main stars would be.
- With adult supervision, carefully use a sharp pencil or pushpin to poke holes through the paper at each star point.
- For an added touch, place sticker stars or use glitter glue on the star points.
- In a darkened room, shine a flashlight through the back of the paper to project your constellation onto a wall or ceiling.
9. Build a Cardboard Box Spaceship
Transform a large cardboard box into an imaginative spaceship, encouraging dramatic play and engineering skills.
Materials Needed:
- Large cardboard box (refrigerator box or appliance box works great)
- Box cutter or scissors (for adult use)
- Paint, markers, construction paper, foil, and bottle caps for decoration
- Tape or glue
Instructions:
- With adult help, cut out doors, windows, and potentially a cockpit opening in the cardboard box.
- Allow kids to unleash their creativity and decorate the spaceship. They can paint it, add controls with bottle caps, create a dashboard with construction paper, or add foil for a metallic look.
- Once decorated, the spaceship is ready for imaginative voyages to distant planets!
10. Moon Rock Hunt
Create “moon rocks” and hide them for a fun and educational scavenger hunt. This activity combines outdoor play with learning about lunar exploration.
Materials Needed:
- Small rocks or pebbles
- Grey, white, and black paint
- Glitter (optional)
- A container to hide the rocks
Instructions:
- Paint small rocks with shades of grey, white, and black to resemble moon rocks. You can add glitter for a sparkling effect. Let them dry completely.
- Hide the “moon rocks” around your yard or a designated outdoor area.
- Tell the kids they are “astronauts” on a mission to collect moon rocks.
- Give them a container or bag to collect their findings.
- Once all the moon rocks are found, discuss what real moon rocks are like and how they are studied by scientists.
11. Alien Craft
Let imaginations run wild by creating unique alien characters from various craft supplies. This encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play.
Materials Needed:
- Construction paper, felt, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pom-poms, craft sticks
- Glue, scissors
- Any other interesting craft bits you have on hand
Instructions:
- Provide a variety of craft materials.
- Encourage kids to design and build their own alien creatures. They can give their alien multiple eyes, long antennas, crazy arms, or unique colors.
- Talk about what their alien’s planet might be like, what it eats, or what its personality is.
- Once completed, they can use their aliens for imaginative play or display them.
Final Thought
Exploring space activities for kids is more than just play—it’s a spark for curiosity, creativity, and early STEM discovery. From building paper rockets to crafting your own constellations, these hands-on adventures help children connect with science in fun and meaningful ways. With just a few simple materials, your home or classroom can transform into a mini space station full of wonder.
Ready to keep the learning going? Check out our Space and solar system worksheets filled with fun, printable activities that bring science to life!
