To infinity and beyond: easy space activities for kids (and kids at heart)

Is there anything cooler than an astronaut?

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The answer is ‘no’… especially if you’re five and obsessed with planets! And the answer is still a hard ‘no’ when you’re 45 and find yourself weeping at the beauty of a nebula, or spiralling into black hole documentaries at 2 a.m.

 

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So, whether you’re a preschooler with a glow-in-the-dark solar system on your ceiling, or a grown-up stargazer who still dreams of zero gravity, here are some easy space activities you’ll love to do with your mini-me.

And as a fellow space-obsessed Earthling, I’ve got a cosmic collection of creative, hands-on projects that are perfect for curious kids and the inner child who still looks up at the night sky and yearns for more.

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Space themed activities to get your kids excited

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Are you’re a space enthusiast trying to get your child excited about space? Or maybe your kid is a future astronaut who dreams of space shuttles and interplanetary adventures? Either way… we have some fun and educational activities that are the perfect ‘launchpad’ (get it?) for you to get started.

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Little astronauts: play-dough, sensory bins and Moon rocks

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Age: 18 months and above

Sure, your kid might not even be able to talk yet, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get excited by the sight of the moon. While your little ones might not get the science of space, it doesn’t mean that you can’t start teaching it!

Why not try some of these space activities with your little ones:

• Get some play dough (grey or even white is best) and help them make the surface of the moon, complete with craters and maybe even some alien blobs.
• Get a sensory bin (or just a big tub or tray-like container) and fill it up with kinetic sand or black beans to look like space, add some scrunched up foil balls (to look like asteroids), and some glow-in-the-dark stars.
• You can wrap small toys in baking soda clay to look like meteorites, and then let your kids fizz them open with white vinegar spray.

Science experiments and STEM activities for Ages 4 and above

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Why not get your little space explorer to try some hands-on end educational space crafts? These activities are a great way to hone their fine motor skills, while learning about new space concepts in creative and imaginative ways!

Mini space shuttle launches!

It’s got nothing on NASA style shuttle launches, but you can still have fun creating your own little backyard mission control and launch pad. Try this simple DIY bottle rocket launch, to teach the kids about science basics like thrust, pressure, and propulsion!

First you’ll need to grab:

• an empty plastic bottle from the recycling (1.25L or 2L works best)
• find a cork that will fit snuggly in the top of the plastic bottle
• a bike pump with a needle attachment (like the ones used to pump up soccer balls)
• some water

Here’s how it works:

• Fill the plastic bottle one-third full of water
• Push the bike pump through the cork so it sticks out slightly to the other side and then plug the cork in tightly into the bottle (with the pump still in it)
• turn the bottle upside-down and prop it up on a stable surface (like a launchpad made from sticks or cardboard
• Start pumping air into the bottle through the needle. Eventually the pressure builds up inside and the bottle, the cork will pop, and the force will shoot the bottle into the air like a rocket!

Adult supervision is mandatory for this one… and make sure it’s done outside where everyone can stand well back.

Houston, we have a bath-time breakthrough!

Next mission: Planet Bath Bombs!

All you need is:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup of citric acid
• A splash of oil (like coconut or olive)
• food colouring

Mix all the dry ingredients, then slowly add the oil and colouring until it holds together like damp sand. Then get your little learners to press it into round moulds, or shape like planets! You could layer one to look like Earth’s crust, core, and mantle, or have them go crazy and invent a galaxy of new worlds. Let them dry for a few hours (or overnight) then drop them in the tub for fizzy fun. I suggest saving this one for nights when bath times become battle zones!

Make your own ‘Eggstronaut’ space activity

This is the space activity you never knew you needed… All you need is an egg! Yes, an actual uncooked egg so you can get a dramatic (and messy) crash landing.

You’ll need to give each kid:

• straws
• tape
• paper
• whatever else they can find in your junk drawer…

Then ask them to get creative and create a soft landing for their delicate little astronaut, aka eggstraunaut, just like they’re a NASA engineer.

For older kids, you can up the ante and create more challenging landing zones by adding cardboard craters, moon pillows, or using a laundry basket as a “landing pad.”

And if you don’t fancy the idea of smashed raw eggs all over your house, get the kids to take it outdoors!

Portable sundial

This one is a super easy options that uses items you probably already have around the house. You just need some cardboard, glue, and a sunny day! Kids can make a mini sundial by cutting the cardboard into a wedge and attaching it to a cardboard base with glue to track the sun’s movement across the sky.

It’s an easy way to understand the movement of the sun across the sky, and how they used to tell the time in the olden days before clocks. You could even connect it to how we observe the sky from the International Space Station.

Engaging and interactive space activities for older children 7 years and above

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Model rocket building

If you’ve already tried the above mini space shuttle activity but your kids still want more, you could throw down the challenge for your kids design, decorate, and launch their very own rocket using their own design. Use simple materials to build, and even test-launch it outdoors. It’s a great activity to teach them about aerodynamics get their hand-eye coordination going.

Solar system diorama

Create a mini solar system using foam balls or paper mâché!

Kids can draw, paint, and decorate each of the planets, add Saturn’s rings, and even include the moon and the sun.

This craft is a fun way to understand planet order and life in space, while developing fine motor skills in little hands. Plus, it will (hopefully) keep them occupied for quite some time.

The science behind the rocket

Simply pour vinegar into the bottom of a plastic bottle (about 1/3 full), wrap baking soda in a small piece of tissue or use a funnel, drop it in, then quickly seal with a cork or cap (loosely), and step back.

As the reaction builds, the pressure will force the cork out… sending the bottle flying!

Now use this age old experiment to explain Newton’s Third Law of Motion – every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Space-themed scavenger hunt

Set up an intergalactic scavenger hunt by hiding items like toy astronauts, glow-in-the-dark stars, planets, or printed space-themed pictures around the area.

For younger kids, create simple clues or riddles based on real space facts. For example – “I’m not a planet anymore, but I still orbit the sun.” (Sorry, Pluto! You had a good run!)

For older ones, increase the challenge and ask them to search for things, solve clues, and collect items. This activity encourages movement, observational skills, and STEM-based curiosity.

Mess-free space activities for kids

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Not in the mood for messy play? Try these simple space-themed creative writing, art and food activities. They’ll inspire kids to dream big… from zooming past the moon phases to designing their space shuttles, but without the mess.

Creative writing: make your own stories

Encourage your space explorers to write short space-themed stories. Or write on one of these fun space themed topics:

• The day Saturn lost its rings
• A picnic on Mars with alien friends
• A day in the life of an Astronaut

Arts and crafts space activity

Bring out some construction paper, gold glitter and art supplies and encourage your little astronaut to turn paper plates into UFOs, planets, or even model rockets.

Or simply bring out the paints and black construction paper, and let them create their own incredible galaxies on the night sky!

Marshmallow constellations and moon phases

Looking for a simple activity that’s both fun and educational and doesn’t need a tonne of materials?

Let children explore the stars by building constellations like Orion or Ursa Major using toothpicks and mini marshmallows.

It’s the perfect activity to bring astronomy into the home or classroom. Aspiring astronauts will love connecting the dots as they learn about the night sky, space life, and how ancient civilisations used stars to navigate.

And if you’re looking for something simpler? Grab some Oreo cookies and model the different moon phases. Then you can eat your “waning gibbous” when done. Yum!

Astronauts in training: obstacle course

Crafted out? No problem. It’s time to send your little astronauts outside (or around the classroom) for a space-inspired obstacle course! Set up jumps, crawls, balance beams, or anything that gets them moving.

Use cushions, tape lines, broomsticks, cardboard boxes, in fact, whatever’s lying around that won’t cause a galactic meltdown if knocked over.

Once this super cool course is ready, grab your coffee and take your seat at Mission Control. Get them to pretend they’re in zero-gravity, and time each “astronaut-in-training” as they complete their mission.

Super easy!

Educational space resources: websites, books and more

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We’re lucky that in Australia we are spoiled with lots of amazing resources to help our kids explore the wonders of space. There are a few we would recommend.

Geoscience Australia is a great option for free downloads of the moon phases, planetary geography, and space-related maps. It also has a hub that’s designed to support learning about our solar system and space.

You can’t beat Questacon (The National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra) for educational support for space and science. And you don’t have to go their, their site is full of brilliant space-themed videos and experiments, and their resources are engaging, hands-on, and most importantly kid-approved!

And don’t forget the Australian Space Agency. It provides downloadable materials for both primary and secondary students, that encourage children to get hands on and think like astronauts, build model rockets, and learn about Australia’s growing role in space science and exploration.

Check out: https://www.space.gov.au/learning-resources-and-activities

Space Books for your little space lover

If you’re looking for some incredible space themed books for your kids, then you need to meet Lisa Harvey-Smith. She’s an Australian astrophysicist and has authored several astronomy books for children, including Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime, Aliens and Other Worlds and Little Book, BIG Universe.

Perfect for sparking curiosity, these books cover everything from galaxies and gravity, to black holes and alien life… all designed specially for young readers. You can learn more about her work and find her wonderful space books on her website.

Fun facts and trivia about space

Did you know that Saturn could float in water because it’s so light?

Or that footprints on the moon could last for millions of years?

Well, now you do!

Space loving kids absolutely love to regurgitate a good fact, so make sure you brush-up on your space facts and include a fun fact or two during your lessons or activities to spark curiosity. Check out some of the resources at National Geographic Kids and brush up on your facts.

Wrapping Up

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If you have a kid that is completely obsessed with space, galaxies, planets and all things space related, then these ideas are sure to get them excited while leaving plenty of room for imagination. From age appropriate experiments for toddlers and older children, space arts and crafts, space books, or even space themed board game options! We’ll have your kids entertained and signing up to the NASA space program in no time!