From crafts to science experiments to picture books, our favorite space activities for kids.
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Today my blog friend Emma Vanstone of Science Sparks released This Is Rocket Science, an awesome new book all about rocket science themed activities for kids. She kindly sent me a review copy, and it is amazing! I decided to share it with you today along with some of our other favorite space theme activities for kids.
Emma’s blog is brilliant, so it’s no surprise that her book is as well. From I am personally most excited to try making her Newton’s Cradle (page 114, if you’re curious). The gliders on page 59 look perfect for us to try once the park across the street opens to the public (next week!) Honestly, from the moon buggy race (page 45) to the gravity splat on page 15, Emma has an activity for every child. My 12-year-old daughter is planning to run a little one-week summer camp in June, and I know she will be using some of the activities from this book!
More Space Theme Activities for Kids
What You'll Find on This Page
My husband Mike dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and he has some university students today who are chasing that dream. I am happiest with two feet planted firmly on the ground, but I do love looking at the night sky. I also enjoy hearing from the experiences of more adventurous souls in space.
My kids and I enjoyed watching the supermoon lunar eclipse in 2015, and the solar eclipse last summer. I particularly love my son’s illustration of the solar eclipse.
Our space crafts mostly involve making space shuttles. So far, we have three versions:
- My husband Mike’s paper shuttle craft
- My light-up cardboard shuttle
- The kids’ cardboard space ship, which clearly focuses on function over form. Mike and I both focused on form over function…
I also have a pattern to make a cute astronaut and spaceship play set.
My daughter Emma made a paper mache moon using a kit from a now-out-of-business company. It was a super easy project – just like this paper mache project of Anna’s, minus the paint with a tea light inside. Incidentally, Anna’s creation is a planet paper mache bag.
Space exploration begins with imagination, which is what I had in mind when I created this printable moon activity.
More Space Theme Books for Kids
There are some wonderful space theme picture books for kids! Here are some of our favorites.
- Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. This book was the inspiration for the printable moon activity I mentioned earlier.
- Mars: The Read Planet by Elizabeth Carney. This National Geographic Kids book is a great introduction to this fascinating planet we are just starting to discover.
- Life on Mars by Jon Agee. This book features a playful look at Mars.
- The Space Craft Book for kids who love space themed pretend play.
- Mae Among the Stars about astronaut Mae Jamison – recommended by mommasmosaic on instagram.
- Hidden Figures – the picture book companion to the award-winning movie about four black women who worked as human computers to launch the first men into space.
What are your favorite space theme activities and books for kids? Please share your recommendations in the comments below, on my Facebook page, or by tagging me on Instagram.
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Love seeing the different space ships. It’s amazing how fascinating space can be for kids, it lends itself to so much imagination and creativity that can be powerfully fostered with play and activity! Love the book suggestions.
Great list! My son loves space themed books!
My little one loves the moon…I’m talking obsession. It is so important to read to your child. I’m so glad you recommended this book and the other awesome astronomy related books.
It sounds like a great book. My kids are talking about redoing astronomy next year, we’ll see what happens for schoolwork.
This sounds like a great book! Wish it were available when my daughter was a little younger :)
Thank you for the lovely comments. I’m so glad you like This Is Rocket Science. I can’t wait to hear more about your daughter’s summer camp!
Thank you for the lovely comments. I’m so glad you like This Is Rocket Science