To infinity…and beyond!
Space is, quite literally, anything and everything. And yet, it’s one of the most challenging aspects of science to teach to students. After all, it’s not as though you can take your students on a quick trip to space to explore! But things don’t have to be impossible- so why not bring space into the classroom? Here’s our exciting list of the top space activities to get your kids learning about everything “out there”. Intergalactic travel, here we come!
1. DIY Astronaut Attire
Off to the astronaut training center we go! This hands-on learning activity will transport your kiddo’s imagination to great heights. Grab some cardboard boxes and scissors and let your students create their own space helmets and jet packs! Prompt them to add some sparkles, paint, and pipe cleaners to take their creations to new heights.
Learn more: Mini Mad Things
2. Space Suncatcher
Your little artists will love this galactic suncatcher! With just the use of a clear plastic plate, some stained glass paints, and a brush- your kiddos can create their very own planetary art to bring any planet to life. Hang outside or in a sunlit window once finished!
Learn more: Space Suncatchers
3. Grow some space seeds
Kindle your student’s desire for knowledge of space exploration by growing some seeds on a space lander. Once your kiddos plant their seed into their homemade “root pillow” they’ll be able to observe how their experiment grows- just as it did in the International Space Station!
Learn more: Space Center Houston
4. Edible moon cycle cookies
Eating and learning, who wouldn’t be keen? This cookie recipe will get your kiddos to help out in the kitchen while also learning important life skills. Together, you can bake these cute star cookies to add to your next space-themed activity!
Learn more: My Kids Lick the Bowl
5. Magnetic Astronaut and Tape Rocket
Your preschoolers and kindergarteners can learn a lot of skills within this one activity! Once your students have constructed their astronaut, add a magnet to the back. Use some washi tape to outline a spaceship on your refrigerator and let the learning begin! You can teach them positional words while they work on fine motor skills moving their astronaut around. They can even tell space stories incorporating the new vocabulary that they’ve learned!
Learn more: J Daniel 4s Mom
6. Moon Phases Tumbler
Teaching the moon phases doesn’t have to be challenging! With the help of some plastic cups, you can create a hands-on manipulative that will take your students through the shapes and names of the 8 moon phases- solidifying this important concept with ease!
Learn more: Happy Tot Shelf
7. Gross Motor Moon Phases
Looking for an engaging activity to get your little ones learning? Here’s a moon phase gross motor lesson that’s easy to implement if you’re looking to get your kids moving! Your students will draw the four moon phases on construction paper and then place them on the ground. Next, have them identify the correct phase you call out by jumping on it. See who can identify the phases the fastest!
Learn more: 123 Homeschool For Me
8. Constellation matching game
Bring the night sky down to earth! Take your kiddos outside to collect multiple rocks and twigs so that they can start building their constellations. You can show them the names and shapes of our solar system’s constellations and then have them recreate them with their collected materials.
Learn more: Little Pine Learners
9. Design a Moon Rover
Pull out your Lego set and let those little imaginations rove! Once your students build their moon rovers, give them a set of criteria to test out their new builds on difficult terrain. This is a STEM project your kiddos will surely love!
Learn more: Adventures in Mommydom
10. Fizzy Moon Rocks
Kids are fascinated by space and they all have their ideas of what it’s like out there! Ask your curious kiddos to write about how rocks from the moon will look, feel, sound, and smell. Then, follow the provided recipe to have them make their own fizzy moon rocks!
Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands
11. Constellation Jar Lamp
Create a calming light show to display your kids’ learning. This project engages your students by tasking them with replicating constellations by poking holes into aluminum foil. Afterward, they will illuminate their learning by placing LED lights inside of a jar; bringing the night sky to life!
Learn more: Craft Ideas 2 Live 4
12. Space Shuttle Craft
Houston, we have a great activity here! This crafty activity requires just an empty toilet paper roll, cardboard, scissors, hot glue, and paint. Help your students follow the instructions to cut and glue the pieces together; in the end, they’ll have their own space shuttle that’s destined for their stars! This sturdy model can even be added to their toy collection once complete!
Learn more: I Heart Crafty Things
13. Yarn Wrapped Planets
Here is a great hands-on activity to help your students visualize the makeup of each planet in the solar system. Taking into account the size and rings of each planet- your kiddos will cut out cardboard circles. Then, they can choose the appropriate colored yarn to wrap around each cutout.
Learn More: And Next Comes L
14. Geoboards Constellations
Geoboards are the perfect tool to teach your kiddos about the constellations! If you don’t own geoboards, follow the instructions to DIY one yourself. Constellations are groups of stars in a specific pattern; in the past, they’ve helped us understand the seasons, directions, and how to track time. Print out the linked constellation cards and have your kiddos stretch the loom bands across the board to match the patterns in the night sky.
Learn More: School Time Snippets
15. Outer Space Pattern Blocks
Are you looking to incorporate some math skills into your space lessons? Using these awesome pattern block mats, your kiddos can arrange different shapes to fill in the space-related images. Have them identify and count how many different shapes were used in this simple and effective activity!
Learn More: The STEM Laboratory
16. Space-themed non-standard measuring units activity
Here we’ve chosen a relatively quick and simple measurement activity for your Pre-K to Kindergarteners to enjoy! Your kiddos will use strips of paper depicting space-related images to measure objects or picture cards. For example, how many “suns long” is my foot? Or how many “earths long” is the asteroid on the picture card? This is a fantastic way to get your students to think about the different ways that people can measure things.
Learn More: Tot Schooling
17. Spaceship Alien Craft Storytime
Kids always love making cootie catchers, so why not make them educational? These printables include fact cards for the planets- so once they’ve folded their cootie catcher, they can work in partners to pick a planet and then read the provided informational cards. They may even be able to recite some new facts after a few rounds!
Learn More: Rock Your Homeschool
18. DIY Moon Phase Lamp
Here’s a light-up craft to display the lunar cycle in your children’s home. You’ll need a cardboard circle pattern to trace, a black Sharpie, a yellow marker, small envelopes with window cutouts, fairy lights, and clothespins to hang your night lights when complete. Teach your kids about the moon phases as they create the waxing and waning of the moon.
Learn More: Rainy Day Mum
19. Spaceship Storytime
Should they choose to accept it, your students’ mission is to create aliens and spaceships and tell a story using their newly crafted props. Help them attach their flying saucers to craft sticks and let the play begin!
Learn More: The Inspirational Edit
20. Hands-on mission Scientist
Take your little learners on various missions to Mars with a handful of fun activities! Start with some molding clay to build the red planet as you teach your kiddos about the surface of Mars and its size compared to Earth. By building volcanos or playing in Mars’ soil- your kinesthetic learners will relish in all the opportunities provided here.
Learn More: Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
21. Spinning solar system
A pinwheel galaxy is perfect for teaching the orbit of the sun. First, your students will decorate their solar system with pebbles, pom poms, and colorful planets. Then, they can attach the sun- a yellow pom pom- to a cardboard circle which can be fastened to the plate. Finally, demonstrate the orbit of the sun by having your students spin their planets around the sun!
Learn More: Books and Giggles
22. Lego Space Challenge
Looking for something a little more simplistic and easy to set up? Try these printable space-focused Lego challenge cards, that will get your students familiar with some key space terminology.
Learn More: Little Bins Bricks
23. Galaxy Jar DIY
Your kids can hold the Milky Way in their hands with this galaxy jar activity. Each child will need a recycled jar, some cotton balls, bright paints, glitter, and water! Your kids will enjoy the fun process of layering the different materials inside the jar. Finally, close the lid and encourage them to gently shake the jar to get their night sky swirling! It can also function as a “calm-down jar” or as a tool for sensory development.
Learn More: Momdot
24. Planet Balloon Pop
Your kids will be stoked to learn when they come into a room filled with balloons! For planet balloon pop you will need to write a few space-related facts on different slips of paper to then hide inside of each balloon. Once you’ve blown up the balloons and inserted your facts, invite your students to pop them safely and discover something new!
Learn More: Scholastic
25. Rocket Ship Name Craft
Build your little learners’ confidence in the area of name-writing. Simply have them cut out a colored square for each letter in their name. Then, they can paste their squares, vertically, on a piece of paper to assemble their rocket ship. Next, have your students cut and paste a triangle atop and finish their ship off by adding thin rectangular strips to the bottom to represent flames. Finally, you can provide some star stickers and markers to help your kiddos write their name and level up their rocket ship by decorating it!
Learn More: Playing House in Maryland
26. DIY Planetarium
Turn your classroom into an astronomer’s haven! With cardboard and flashlights, your students can create their own planetarium to gaze at the constellations of the night sky. Without leaving the classroom your students will be able to explore planets and constellations by gazing through a scope at their astronomical artwork.
Learn More: Little Bins for Little Hands
27. Solar System Slime
Let the galaxies intertwine with this tactile wonder of an activity! Hand your students the ingredients, and watch as they craft a unique universe with solar system slime and tiny modeling clay balls to represent the planets. Once complete, have your kiddos stretch, pull, and marvel at the nebulous wonders they’ve created.
Learn More: Mini Monets and Mommies
28. Space Puzzles
Who doesn’t love a good challenge? Let your students develop some number sense with these space-themed skip-counting puzzles. We recommend cutting out the strips and laminating them before letting your kiddos solve their space puzzles. As your little ones skip count to practice their multiplication skills- an image of astronauts, telescopes, or space rocks will be pieced together.
Learn More: Laughing Kids Learn
29. Straw Rocket Activity
Blast your class off into physics and play with this next idea! Using straws and paper cutouts, your students can design tiny rocket props to soar around with. A simple breath will propel their creation and introduce them to the basic principles of propulsion and physics. You can even have your students compare their designs and make predictions about how far their rockets float through the air!
Learn More: Little Passports
30. Space Themed Yoga
Ready to stretch into the cosmos? Introduce your students to the tranquil world of space-themed yoga to do just that! Each pose or stretch resembles celestial events and bodies and will help your kiddos learn space-related vocabulary by pairing new words with physical movements.
Learn More: Pink Oatmeal
31. Cardboard Tube Telescope
Turn your classroom into an explorer’s realm! Have each student bring in an empty cardboard roll to decorate as a telescope. Once they’ve had a chance to paint and decorate their creation as they please, take them outside and let their imagination run wild as they describe stories of comets, black holes, star births, and more. Encourage them to take their creations home and use them after dark- they can maybe even write a journal entry of what they saw through their telescope!
Learn More: Bare Feet on The Dashboard
32. DIY Astronaut Glove Box
Let’s dive into the challenges of space! By designing an astronaut glove box, your students can experience the intricacies of tasks completed in zero gravity. Once you’ve helped them bring this piece of apparatus to life, have your kiddos manipulate different objects with the gloves on.
Learn More: Gift of Curiosity
33. Alien Mask Craft
Ready for some extraterrestrial drama? Provide your students with plates and art tools, and let them get to work crafting intergalactic visitors. Each mask is a testament to creativity; helping you effortlessly set the stage for cosmic performances. Drama, art, and a touch of the unknown await!
Learn More: A Happy Mum
34. Space Station Dramatic Play
Who’s up for some space-fueled imagination? Turn your classroom into a realm where space adventures and imagination intertwine by setting up a themed dramatic play center. As your students dive into the roles of astronauts and engineers, cosmic discoveries are bound to be unearthed.
Learn More: Turner Tots
35. DIY Comet Craft
Spruce up your classroom with a funky comet craft or two! With tissue paper and glue, your students can create dazzling comets out of recycled plastic bottles Once finished, hang their masterpieces from the ceiling to create a cosmic learning environment!
Learn More: Meaningful Mama
36. Solar System Mobile
Ever dreamt of having a revolving universe in your classroom? With this solar system mobile, that’s exactly what you are in for. Use the template provided or, if you want to add an extra challenge, have your students create their proportionate cutouts of planetary sizes and arrange them in sequential order beginning with the sun.
Learn More: Twinkl
37. Galaxy Play Dough
Have your kiddos mix and mold, and let the galaxies unfold! With sparkles and cosmic colors, your students can shape their very own universe with galaxy-style play dough. The universe is no longer distant—it’s right at their fingertips.
Learn More: Play to Learn Preschool
38. Space Memory Game
Give your kiddos a cosmic brain workout! Challenge them with a stellar memory game that tests both recall and space knowledge. Get them to flip and match cards, and weave stories about astronauts, celestial bodies, and galaxies.
Learn More: Twinkl
39. DIY Rocket Pack
Blast off into eco-friendly creativity! Using recycled materials, your students can craft rocket packs that symbolize space travel dreams. All you’ll need to help them bring this craft to life is the following: a piece of cardboard, 2 pieces of webbing fabric, staples, a hot glue gun, 2 empty bottles, yellow and red felt, aluminum foil, and any decorations you please. Bonus- have them role-play exploring space and telling stories of their planetary adventures!
Learn More: Happy Toddler Play Time
40. Space Themed I Spy Game
Get those little eyes sharp for an extraterrestrial hunt! With this space-themed I Spy game, your students can dive into a tableau of celestial wonders. Have them seek, find, and tell tales of stars, planets, and galaxies.
Learn More: Parenting Chaos
41. Space Sensory Bin
Invite your littles to dive into a tactile galaxy of wonder! With moon sand, twinkling stars, and assorted space-themed toys, your students explore space in a hands-on way. Every touch and dig into this sensory bin will help them unlock new cosmic mysteries. *Removed final sentence as it’s rather redundant as the basic premise has already been stated in the write-up
Learn More: Learning Resources
42. Paper Plate UFO
Ready your kiddies to embark on a journey of creativity into the unknown! Hand your students humble paper plates and prompt them to craft alien vessels using assorted buttons, glue, and alien creature cutouts.
Learn More: This Crafty Family
43. Water Bottle Rocket
Buckle up for a lesson in physics and thrill! By combining vinegar and baking soda in a plastic bottle, your students can embark on a few rocket-launching escapades; the perfect introduction to themes of propulsion and reactions. Before you get stuck into this craft, show your learners a video of a real rocket launch so they can apply their knowledge in a fun way thereafter!
Learn More: Rainy Day Mum
44. Space Obstacle Course
Transform your school grounds into an astronaut’s training arena! With hurdles, hoops, and challenges, your students can gear up to embark on fictional space missions. Agility, endurance, and a sprinkle of space magic will surely come into play!
Learn More: The Inspired Treehouse
45. Solar System Bead Bracelet
Jewelry gets a cosmic upgrade with this next craft! As your students string letter beads together in a sequential order, they’ll craft a tribute to the universe’s celestial bodies. Wearing this bracelet will not only be a fashion statement but also serve as a reminder of the order of the planets.
Learn More: Still Playing School
46. Puffy Paint Solar System
Elevate art with a touch of the cosmos! All you’ll need is puffy paint and wax paper. Describe the colors, sizes, and rings of each planet to your children and allow them to create a representation of each. Once their piece of tactile art dries, it can be hung in your window to display their learning!
Learn More: School Time Snippets
47. Space Coloring Pages
Artistry meets the stars in a calm embrace with this next activity! Armed with downloadable coloring pages, your students navigate through galaxies, stars, and cosmic wonders. This is a relaxing activity that can be used if your students complete their other work early or simply wish to take a moment to enhance your classroom bulletin board.
Learn More: I Heart Crafty Things
33 Hilarious April Fools Jokes For Teachers To Pull On Their Students