What kid doesn’t dream of one day becoming an astronaut and seeing them? All future astronauts and rocket scientists will love these fun and open space activities for kids. It’s time to learn about Disney’s new movie release Light year!
1. Build a spinning solar system.
This fun pinwheel galaxy is perfect for teaching the orbit of the sun. All you need is a paper plate, colored construction paper, pebbles, and black and silver craft paint.
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2. Create a space-themed board game.
This Planet Board game is a fun way to learn and practice information about the planets of our solar system. The kids roll the die and work their way around the finish line. This activity comes with free downloadable planet cards.
Learn more: Inspiration Laboratories
3. Build a balloon-powered space rover.
This clever craft mimics the tiny rover (only a few inches high) that NASA created to explore and photograph the surface of an asteroid.
Learn more: Space Place
4. Make a planet wrapped with yarn.
This simple activity will help young students understand the relative size of the planet as well as build their fine motor skills as they wrap cardboard discs with different colored yarns.
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5. Create a DIY sandal.
Help your students build their scientific observation skills. This simple sunlight will teach them to tell time by tracking the movement of the sun across the sky.
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6. Build a model solar system.
It’s one of those classic space activities for kids that everyone should try at least once. There are hundreds of ways to make one; Find alternatives at the link.
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7. Snacks in the phases of the moon.
What goes better with Orios than a glass of milk? A little about the science of the moon! We like lessons that you can eat when you’re done, don’t you?
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8. Use Geoboard to map constellations.
Geoboards are such a great classroom tool, and you can use them for many things, such as creating constellations. Get the free printable patterns below.
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9. Create an astronaut training center.
This kind of space activity for kids encourages them to use their imagination while learning. Get lots of great ideas to stock up on your astronaut training center at the link.
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10. Launch a rocket into space.
Paint free printable rocket templates, then mount them on a straw launcher and send them into flight!
Learn more: Buggy and Friends
11. Play a solar system flash-card game.
Use these free printable Planet Flash cards and reuse an old headband set. Which game set? Instead, tape them on the foreheads of children!
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12. Find out why there are holes in the moon.
This clever science demo imitates the action that created the moon’s hole. All you need is flour, baby oil and some small stones.
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13. Combine the Marshmallow constellations.
Here is some more delicious science to try! Use a toothpick to connect the marshmallow “stars” to form the constellations.
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14. Play with Galaxy Play Flour.
This gorgeous DIY Galaxy Play Doty is a lot of fun to play while you are reading a book or watching a documentary about space. Learn how to create it at the link.
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15. Turn on a bottle rocket.
This is one of the classic space activities for kids that you just have to try. Go to the complete how-to link.
Learn more: Wikihow
16. Model planets from clay.
There is no better way to know the individual planets than to model them from clay. Try to use foam balls in the center so that you do not need so much clay for each.
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17. Build a Lego Moon Rover.
Aspiring engineers will love this STEM Challenge! Set a series of parameters to make sure their creations must be met, then examine them.
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18. Illuminate the constellations.
First, create your own LED light magnet, then use them to map all your favorite constellations.
Learn more: Buggy and Friends
19. Design a space lander.
The challenge? Design a space lander that allows two passengers to land safely on the planet’s surface using only some very basic equipment. This one will really get them thinking.
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20. Join the NASA Kids Club.
What better place to find space activities for kids than NASA? Their Kids Club is full of games, videos, activities and more and it’s all free
Learn more: NASA Kids Club
21. Place the planets in order.
Round up all the balls in your house (and a handful of pom-poms for asteroids). Layer them out in sequence with their relative sizes as a guide.
Learn more: Inspiration Laboratories
22. Make a moon-stage toy.
This great little DIY toy displays the phases of the moon. It’s a snap made with a few clean plastic cups and some construction paper.
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23. Turn on a constellation flashlight.
Turn a flashlight into a star projector by piercing the black construction paper. Take it to a dark room and let it burn!
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24. Recycle cardboard tubes on space shuttles.
On its heyday, the space shuttle was the most sophisticated spaceship around. Help kids learn about it by making small models out of cardboard tubes.
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25. Eat a fruit solar system.
Snacks on the solar system as you learn! This activity combines a healthy snack with the fun of the place.
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26. Assemble a constellation.
How beautiful are these little constellations? Get a free printable and learn how to put it together in a link.
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27. Dissolve crayons in planetary sanctuaries.
Round up some old crayons and use their shaving to create beautiful planetary suncats to brighten up your windows.
Learn more: Idea Museum
28. Learn how the planets orbit the sun.
This quick demo is a great way to introduce the concept of orbit to younger students using a pie plate, some play flour and a ball or marble.
Learn more: The gift of curiosity