Fun Activities for Your Space-Loving Kid

Is your child’s interest in outer space a complete obsession? Are they fascinated by planets, aliens and rockets? You are not alone! You’re not alone!

You’re likely always looking for new ways to encourage your child’s curiosity if you are a parent. What’s the good news? The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy expensive toys or book tickets to the planetarium. You and your little astronaut can explore space together using simple household items.

These 12 space-themed crafts are easy to do and inexpensive. The majority of these activities are geared towards toddlers and young preschoolers, but older children can also have fun (and learn!) They are also great for older kids.

12 Easy and Fun Activities for Your Space-Loving Kid

1. Rocket Countdown Magnetic Puzzle

Start the day with an activity that is both fun and educational. This DIY magnetic puzzle will help kids to practice colour recognition, shape sorting and counting. Even if they aren’t yet comfortable with numbers, your child will still enjoy assembling the pieces to form a rocket.

You’ll Need

• Card or foam sheets in different colours
• Scissors
• Magnets (adhesive, glue-on or glued on)
• Magnetic board or baking tray
• Stickers and markers for decoration

Make it. Cut your rocket into pieces, like a puzzle – triangles, rectangles and circles – and stick magnets to the back. To introduce the concept of simple number recognition, you can use numbers to identify each part. Let your child put it together again and again.

2. Starlit Night in Cup

This is a simple project that’s a bit magical and just right for the “wow” effect. You can create a miniature night sky using glow sticks, foam cups and creativity.

You’ll Need

• Foam or paper cups
• Black paint
• Glow sticks
• Toothpicks

Make it paint the cup and let it dry. To represent constellations and stars, use a toothpick or a small hole puncher to make tiny holes in the cup. Drop a glowing stick in the cup, turn out the lights and watch it glow like a miniature planetarium.

3. Constellation Sensory bag

Sensory play has always been a favourite with kids. This space-themed version of sensory play is as stimulating as it is soothing.

You’ll Need

• Ziplock bag
• Hair gel or body wash in clear
• Confetti with glitter and stars
• Use a few drops of food colouring in blue or purple
• Clear tape

How it is made: Combine everything in a bag and seal it tightly. Tape the edges for extra security. It’s a great way to calm down your child before naptime or after a long day.

4. Easy Rocket Craft

This quick and easy craft lets children exercise their creativity while creating their spaceship.

You’ll Need

• Paper
• Paint puffs (or shaving cream mixed with glue)
• Markers
• Stickers
• Aluminium foil to add some shine

How to Make It: On a piece of paper, draw a simple outline of a rocket. Fill it in with puffy, star-shaped paint and decorate with glitter or foil to give it a metallic look. When it’s dry, you can hang up their starry creation to admire.

5. Galaxy Calm Down Spray

The Galaxy Calm Down Bottle is a combination of a science experiment and a calming tool. Give it a good shake when your child’s feelings are running high and watch them as the stars swirl to settle.

You’ll Need

• Clean a plastic bottle with a lid
• Water
• Glitter glue
• Food Colouring
• Star confetti
• Clear hair gel is optional for a thicker, flowing.

Make it Fill the bottle up with water. Add glitter glue, colouring and sprinkle stars. Close the lid (you may need to glue it closed if necessary). Shake, then admire.

6. Planet Sun Catcher

This activity will bring outer space to your home, specifically to your windows.

You’ll Need

• Clear contact paper
• Tissue paper (various colours)
• Black construction paper
• Scissors

Cut out planet shapes from black paper. Stick them on the sticky side of contact paper. Let your child then fill in the planets using small pieces of tissue to create colourful stained-glass designs. Watch them glow when you hang them in a window with a lot of sunlight!

7. Solar System Mobile

A mobile is a great addition to any child’s bedroom. The solar system version can be both educational and decorative.

You’ll Need

• Foam balls (different sizes)
• Paint
• Fishing line or string
• Coat hanger, or hoop
• For assembly, glue or skewers are used.

How it’s made: Paint the foam balls to look like planets, and then hang them from a central hoop in an orbital formation. Each planet’s colour and name can be discussed, making it a great way to teach planetary characteristics and order in a fun and visual manner.

8. Marble Planet Painting

Marbling is an easy and enjoyable way to create swirling planetary art.

You’ll Need

• Shaving cream
• Colouring food or washing away paint
• Paper
• A plate or tray
• Toothpicks and skewers

Make it Spray shaving cream on the tray, then add colour drops and gently swirl. Then, lift the paper to reveal your marbled masterpiece. Create your solar art gallery by cutting out shapes of planets.

9. Make a Telescope

This adorable pretend-play telescope will bring the stars closer to you. It won’t magnify actual skies, but it is perfect for imaginative stargazing.

You’ll Need

• The cardboard tube is also known as a paper towel roll
• Stickers, markers and washi tape
• Paint
• Use an old plastic packaging or a sheet of clear plastic as a “lens”.

How To Make It: Decorate the tube with any galactic designs that your child enjoys. Draw constellations on the inside to make it a little more fun. You can take it outside and pretend that you are exploring the stars.

10. Toilet Roll Rockets

The toilet paper roll is one of the most versatile crafting supplies that you will ever use. They can be transformed into miniature rockets with a little decorating.

You’ll Need

• Toilet paper rolls
• Construction Paper
• Scissors and glue
• Stickers and markers
• Rocket flames on tissue paper

Make it. Cover the roll in colored paper, cut out a cone and glue it to the top. For flames, add a small piece of tissue paper to the bottom. Decorate however your little astronaut sees fit!

11. Build a Giant Rocket

This project may turn into a weekend-long affair (but it will be a lot of fun). Build a cardboard rocket ship if you are feeling ambitious.

You’ll Need

• Large cardboard boxes
• Box cutter or strong scissors
• Tape
• Paint and markers
• Aluminium foil and paper plates as buttons and details

How to Make It: Build the shape with boxes, cut out the windows and decorate together. Do not be surprised if your toddler insists that they eat lunch in the space capsule every day for the next few days.

12. Cardboard Roll Aliens

What would a space trip be without some aliens? This activity allows kids to unleash their creativity and create their own beautiful, bizarre alien creatures.

You’ll Need

• Cardboard tubes
• Paint
• Googly Eyes
• Pipe Cleaners
• You can use glitter, stickers, pompoms and anything else that you may have.

Make it. Paint the tube. Glue on eyes. Stick pipe cleaners for antennas. Decorate to your heart’s desire. Each alien can be given a personality and a name, and maybe even live inside your cardboard rocket.

Final Thoughts – Fuel their imagination, not just their playtime

These space-themed projects combine creativity and curiosity with fun. These hands-on activities will help your child explore the wonders of a vast universe, whether they are fascinated by Saturn’s rings or dream of becoming an astronaut.

You don’t have to be a crafty person, hold a degree in early childhood education or purchase expensive materials. All you need is some time, a bit of mess tolerance, and a sense of adventure.

Save those cardboard tubes and grab your glue sticks. Space is closer than ever.