Twelve Out-of-This-World Activities for Your Space-Loving Child
You’re in luck if you have a child who loves stars, rockets, and outer space. Space is a natural fascination for toddlers, and this can lead to creative play. You can bring the wonders and chaos of the universe into your living space with a few simple supplies and the willingness to embrace a little mess.
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These 12 space-themed crafts are perfect for any little astronaut, whether they love rocket ships, the moon, or sensory exploration. These fun projects, glow-in-the-dark stars and galaxy-inspired sensory bags to glow-in-the-dark stars and sensory bags, will spark their imaginations. They may even learn a few things about space.
Get ready to blast off! Explore the universe with your toddler!
1. Rocket Countdown Magnet Puzzle
This magnetic puzzle will introduce your child to shapes and numbers while keeping in line with their space-themed obsession. Cut out geometric shapes in bold colors using foam sheets or cardboard. Each piece should be numbered and magnetic tape placed on the back. Next, help your child build the rocket in numerical order on the refrigerator or magnetic board.
Even if they aren’t ready to learn the number sequence, your toddler will love rearranging all of the colourful pieces into rockets. This activity is great for developing fine motor skills, as it helps little fingers grasp and place the pieces.
Learning benefits:
- Number Recognition
- Shape and colour matching
- Fine motor development
2. Starlit Night In A Cup
This magical craft will bring the night sky inside. Help your child decorate a black cup with silver or glow-in-the-dark star stickers. Use a skewer to poke holes in the side of the cup (only adults can do this). You can then add a glowstick to the cup, and you’ll have your starry evening in a mug!
This simple project will introduce your child to light and shadows.
You’ll need:
- Foam or paper cups
- Star stickers
- Glow sticks
- Sharp pencil or skimmer (adult supervision is required).
3. Constellation Sensory Bag
This sensory bag is perfect for toddlers who love to squish, squeeze, and poke things. Fill a ziplock bag with clear baby oil or hair gel, glitter, and star-shaped confetti to make your galactic-themed sensory bag. Seal the bag tightly with duct tape to prevent leaks.
Encourage your child’s tactile play by allowing them to move the stars. Or, encourage him/her to draw “constellations”. For added contrast, place the bag on top of a sheet of black or blue paper.
Why It’s Great:
- Enhances tactile development
- Play safely and without the mess
- Early science curiosity is encouraged
4. DIY Rocket Craft
You can help your child build their rocket ship using recycled materials. To bring your rocket to life, use coloured construction papers, paper towel rolls, and tissue paper. Toddlers are free to glue, stick, and decorate their hearts out.
Mount your rocket as a mini-art installation on the wall once it has dried. You could make an entire fleet of rockets.
Tip: Add some sparkle to your decorations by using stickers, crayons, and foil.
5. Galaxy Calm Down Bottle
Calm-down Bottles are essential in every toddler’s home. This space-themed version is not only a great sensory tool but also helps kids relax.
Fill a clear plastic container with warm water. Add clear glue or glitter, star confetti, and food coloring in cosmic colours (think purple, blue, and silver). Let your child shake the bottle and watch as it swirls around.
Bonus: Use it during quiet time or before naps. It can also be used as an emotional regulation tool in a calm corner.
6. Planet Suncatchers
Transform your window into a colourful solar system! To create frames, cut out circles from black paper and let your child stick pieces of colored tissue paper in them. Place the completed planets in a window that gets plenty of sunlight to illuminate the colours.
Your toddler will be amazed at how the planets glow in sunlight, even if they need some help cutting and sticking. Create each planet of the solar system, or let your child invent their own!
Learning Extensions:
- Discuss hot and cold planets
- Name colours and shapes
- Explore the concept that light passes through objects
7. Solar System Mobile
Mobiles can be both beautiful and educational. Use papier mache balls or foam balls that are painted to look like planets. Each “planet”, using a coat hanger or an embroidery hoop, can be suspended at different lengths.
Your child will enjoy watching the planets spin and sway. This is a great opportunity to introduce planets, discuss the sun, orbits, and the Earth as part of a larger system.
Tip for parents: Place the mobile in their reading nook or near their bed to add a little magic at night.
8. Planet Painting
Painting is the best way to entertain toddlers. Set up a station for your child to paint their planets. Paper plates or round cutouts can be used as canvases. Provide a range of colours and sponges, a nd brushes.
Try rolling marbles in paint for swirling effects that look like planets. To add an educational element, have them paint the actual planets in the solar system.
Display Idea: Hang the paintings with the names of planets beneath them to create a space-themed art gallery.
9. Make a Telescope
Even though your toddler may not be able to use a real one yet, he or she can certainly make a pretend telescope! Let them decorate an empty paper towel tube or cling-wrap tube with stickers, glitter, and paint.
Take your “telescope”, even if you’re just making it up, outside and have them look at the moon and stars. This could be turned into a storytelling activity: “What did you see tonight through your telescope?”
10. Toilet Roll Rockets
Turn toilet paper rolls into mini rockets. Attach tissue paper or yarn to the exhaust for the rocket’s fire. Help your child glue a paper cone on the top of the roll for the nose. You can decorate these little rockets with stickers, crayons, and googly eyes for some fun.
After they are dry, you can have your child zoom around the room with them, making rocket sounds. Make a cardboard space shuttle landing pad for imaginative play.
Tip: You can use them to play pretend space missions with dolls and stuffed animals.
11. Build A Giant Rocket
It’s a weekend-long project, but it is worth it. Build a rocket that is large enough to fit your toddler in. Allow your child to help you paint and decorate the rocket. Don’t forget about the control panel and Windows.
Once constructed, the prop is a great tool for imaginative play. You can roleplay “blast off” and a countdown together.
Optional Additions:
- Add flashing LED Lights
- Aluminium foil can be used to create a futuristic appearance
- Print NASA logos on the side
12. Alien Handprints
You can make this craft with your toddler. Paint your child’s hands (green or purple is a fun colour for aliens). Stamp them on paper. Once the glue has dried, add googly eye stickers to your fingertips. Draw little antennae on them to make adorable aliens.
You could make an entire alien family by combining everyone’s drawings. You can frame them or put them on your fridge to remind you of the intergalactic imagination of your child.
The Mission is Complete
It’s not surprising that toddlers love outer space! They are drawn to anything that feels big, magical, and mysterious. These easy, inexpensive, and toddler-approved activities will turn their fascination into learning moments that are fun at home.
These crafts and games not only encourage creativity and fine motor skills but also introduce early science concepts to children in a fun and age-appropriate way. What’s the best part? These adventures are a great way to connect, laugh, and create memories with your child.
Gather your glitter, googly eyes, and glow stick , and get ready for launch. You can explore the universe right from your playroom with a bit of imagination and time.
