As adults, we’re often fascinated by outer space and the mysteries it holds.
But have you ever stopped to think about how intriguing the cosmos might be for little ones?
So, we’ve compiled a list of fun outer space activities for preschoolers.
From crafting their own telescopes to making a model of the solar system, these activities are sure to spark their imagination and foster a love of space exploration.
Create a Rocket Ship Craft:
Preschoolers love hands-on activities, and what could be more exciting than building their own rocket ship? Using recycled materials like cardboard tubes, paper plates, and paint, children can create a rocket ship they can pretend to fly to space. This activity not only develops their creativity and fine motor skills but also introduces them to basic physics concepts such as thrust and gravity.
Make Galaxy Slime:
Kids love slime, and adding a galactic twist makes it even more fun! Making galaxy slime involves mixing various colors and glitter to create a mesmerizing space-themed slime. This activity not only keeps children engaged and entertained but also helps them learn about colors and textures while developing their sensory skills.
Related: 25 Phonological Awareness Activities for Preschoolers & Kindergarten
Stargazing:
Taking preschoolers out for a night of stargazing is a fun and educational activity. On a clear night, find a spot with minimal light pollution, and teach your child about the different constellations and stars visible in the sky. You can even use a telescope to help them identify planets like Venus and Mars.
Build a Model Solar System:
Creating a model of the solar system is a great way to teach preschoolers about the planets and their order. Using foam balls, paint, and some string, children can make a scale model of the planets in our solar system. This activity not only encourages creativity and problem-solving but also introduces them to basic astronomy concepts.
Storytime with Space Books:
Reading space-themed books is a great way to engage preschoolers in learning about the universe. There are plenty of age-appropriate books about space exploration that are not only informative but also entertaining. You can read books about astronauts, the moon landing, or even fiction stories set in outer space. This activity helps children develop their language skills, imagination, and a love for reading.
Related: 25 Social Studies Activities for Preschoolers
Moon Rock Exploration:
Preschoolers can go on a moon rock exploration by creating their own sensory bin filled with “moon rocks”. You can make these rocks by painting small stones or pebbles with grey or silver paint. Then, provide your child with tools like magnifying glasses, tweezers, and shovels to dig, explore and learn about the different textures and shapes of the rocks.
DIY Telescope:
Using cardboard tubes, lenses, and some paint, preschoolers can create their own DIY telescope. This activity not only helps develop their creativity and fine motor skills but also teaches them about basic optics concepts like magnification and focal length.
Astronaut Dress-Up:
Preschoolers love dressing up and pretending to be someone else. So, why not encourage them to dress up as astronauts? You can create costumes using silver or white clothes, space helmets, and backpacks. This activity fosters imagination, and creativity, and introduces children to the idea of space exploration.
Make Planet Cookies:
Who doesn’t love cookies? Children can learn about the planets in our solar system by making planet cookies. Using different colored icing and toppings, they can decorate sugar cookies to look like each planet. This activity helps develop their fine motor skills and creativity and introduces them to basic astronomy concepts.
Create a Moon Phase Calendar:
Teaching preschoolers about the phases of the moon can be fun and interactive. Using a paper plate, paint, and some markers, children can create their own moon phase calendar. This activity not only helps them learn about the different phases of the moon but also introduces them to basic concepts of time and the lunar cycle.
Space-themed Obstacle Course:
Create a space-themed obstacle course in your backyard or a park. Use hula hoops as planets, tunnels as wormholes, and cones as asteroids. This activity helps develop gross motor skills and imagination while introducing children to space exploration.
Rocket Launch Experiment:
Preschoolers can learn about propulsion and the laws of motion by conducting a rocket launch experiment. Using a balloon, straw, and some paper, children can make their own rockets and launch them into the air. This activity not only develops their problem-solving skills but also teaches them basic physics concepts.
Alien Slime:
Create a fun and slimy sensory experience for preschoolers with alien slime. By adding googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and other decorations, children can make their own alien slime creatures. This activity fosters creativity, imagination, and sensory development.
Planet Walk:
Take a walk with preschoolers and teach them about the different planets in our solar system. Use sidewalk chalk to create a scale model of the solar system on the ground, and have your child walk from planet to planet. This activity helps develop their gross motor skills while teaching them about the order of the planets.
Virtual Field Trip to Space:
Preschoolers can take a virtual field trip to space through various online resources. You can explore NASA’s website or watch videos of space exploration to teach your child about the universe. This activity encourages curiosity and a love for learning.
Moon Sand Play:
Moon sand is a fun sensory material that resembles the texture of real sand. Create your own moon sand by mixing flour, oil, and food coloring. Then, add space-themed toys like plastic rockets, astronauts, and aliens. This activity promotes creativity, imagination, and sensory development.
Planet Matching Game:
Create a planet-matching game by printing out pictures of the planets in our solar system and their names. Cut them out and mix them up, then have your child match the names to the correct planet. This activity helps develop their memory and recognition skills while teaching them about the planets.
DIY Star Projector:
Using a flashlight, a paper towel tube, and some black construction paper, preschoolers can create their own DIY star projector. By shining the flashlight through the tube and cutting out stars from the black paper, they can create a starry night on their bedroom ceiling. This activity fosters creativity, and imagination, and introduces them to basic astronomy concepts.
Moon Painting:
Using black construction paper, white paint, and a paintbrush, preschoolers can create their own moon painting. This activity encourages creativity and imagination while teaching them about the texture and appearance of the moon.
Space-themed Yoga:
Preschoolers can participate in space-themed yoga to improve their flexibility, balance, and coordination. Use poses that mimic space exploration, like the “rocket ship” pose and the “floating astronaut” pose. This activity not only helps develop their physical abilities but also encourages relaxation and mindfulness.
