Pop quiz, parents! What do glitter, rocket ships, and the endless curiosity of your little humans have in common? They’re perfect ingredients for a playful plunge into outer space.
Space ignites curiosity - planets, stars, aliens, and the “What if I were an astronaut?” dream. With the add in of STEAM (that magical intersection of science, technology, engineering, art, and math), you can nurture that curiosity while sneaking in some education. Who said learning can’t be one giant, messy, glitter-covered leap for mankind?
This isn’t about creating flawless Pinterest projects (though high-fives if you do). Nope, this is about powering imaginations while testing gravity and learning about engineering. Check out these ten space-inspired activities, full of recyclables, figurines, art supplies, and just enough creativity and chaos to make it fun. Even better? We’ve mapped each adventure by age range and peppered in pro tips to keep your sanity intact. Grab some coffee and get ready to orbit the world of STEAM play.
Rocketing Recyclables (Ages 4+)
Supplies:
- Paper towel tube
- Aluminum foil
- Colored paper
- Tape or glue
- Scissors
- Markers/crayons
Mission: Who knew yesterday’s paper towel and some craft supplies could become today’s intergalactic traveler? Cover the roll in foil to make a shiny rocket body, then cut out and attach paper fins and a pointy nose cone. (Here’s the bonus challenge for your mini engineer: What happens when you adjust the angle of the fins? Space science sneaks in!)
STEAM Concept: Basic engineering and creativity
Pro Tip: Test its “liftoff position” by balancing it upright before decorating. Stability is key—even for makeshift spacecrafts.
Check out ODDY Spaceship and Mini Space Craft Building Kits!
Galactic Sensory Bin (Ages 3+)
Supplies:
- Big plastic bin
- Black beans or rice (dyed with food coloring)
- Toy aliens, rockets, and planets
- Scoops, tongs, and spoons
Mission: Turn your kitchen scraps into a mini universe! Fill the bin with black beans to mimic the galaxy, scatter some space toys, then invite your little astronaut to “search for alien life.” Beyond the giggles, they’ll flex fine motor skills with all that scooping and sorting.
Concept: Early sensory exploration and fine motor development.
Pro Tip: Set the bin on a shower curtain liner or tablecloth. Because, yes, your tiny star seeker will fling beans everywhere.
*Note: Monitor younger children with small items that may be choking hazards.
Gooey Galaxy Paintings (Ages 4+)
Supplies:
- Black paper
- Acrylic paints, Dot Markers, or KwikStix in blues, purples, whites, and silvers
- Paintbrushes and sponges
Mission: Blast off into abstract art by using Dot Markers, dabbing sponges dipped in acrylic paint, or KwikStix to create swirly galaxies on black paper. Use star stickers or flick white paint to add stars, then add dramatic nebulae with silvery strokes.
Concept: Creative expression and spatial awareness.
Pro Tip: Before kids go star-crazy, test the “flicking” technique on scrap paper. Keep stray planetary splatters from reaching your walls.
Starry STEALTH Hunt (Ages 3+)
Supplies:
- Alien figurines
- Flashlights
Mission: Hide the aliens around the house or backyard, dim the lights, and hand out flashlights. Your kiddos are now galactic adventurers hunting hidden visitors. To ramp up the fun, you can add riddles or clues about each alien’s hiding spot.
Concept: Observation skills and problem-solving.
Pro Tip: Create zones, starting with “easy planet levels” (like under the kitchen table or in sensory bins) before advancing to “deep space levels” (hiding in spots around the house or outside).
Perfect Alien Planet Habitats (Ages 6+)
Supplies:
- Create alien planets outdoors with natural supplies.
OR
- Craft materials (glitter, pipe cleaners, colored paper, glue, tape, markers, crayons, paint, or KwikStix)
- Glue or tape
- Friendly Aliens TOOB figurines
Instructions:
- Assign each Friendly Alien figurine its own unique planet. Chat about what their home might look like based on their features (e.g., a brightly colored alien might live on a lush, flower-filled planet; a spiky alien could hail from a rocky, volcanic world).
- Collect nature materials (pinecones, sticks, leaves, grass, dirt, etc) to make a habitat area.
OR
- If doing a crafty planet - on a piece of cardstock, paint or draw the planet. Add features to create its biome, such as lakes, forests, or craters.
- Layer on texture with craft materials. Use glitter to make stars sparkle, pipe cleaners for alien trees, or colored paper to create habitats.
- Label the planet with its name and a short description of its biome (e.g., “Zorvis – a bubbly blue gas planet where floating jelly creatures roam”).
- Add your Friendly Alien figurine to its new home. Display your custom planets to form a colorful, imaginative galaxy!
Concepts:
- Develops creativity by designing unique worlds.
- Introduces basic ecology concepts such as biomes and habitats.
- Encourages storytelling and descriptive language through planet names and descriptions.
Pro Tip: Create a mini “planetarium” display by hanging the finished planets on a string or taping them to a wall in a solar system-like setup. Bonus points for twinkling fairy lights in the background!
Crater Creators (Ages 4+)
Supplies:
- Tray filled with flour, crunched up cereal, or sand
- Small balls (bouncy, marbles, rocks, or balled up foil)
Mission: Space rocks, meet DIY impact studies. Drop balls into the tray one at a time to make “craters.” Experiment with heights and force to see what changes. Don’t forget to draw conclusions: Would softer moons have deep craters?
Concept: Physics and experimentation.
Pro Tip: Contain the mess by setting the tray on an old towel. Bonus? Cleanup becomes a lunar brushing session!
Planets in Small Hands (Ages 3+)
Supplies:
- Play-dough or Clay
- Toothpicks
- Scrap paper for labels
Mission: Roll play-dough into colorful planets. (Want them more realistic? Swirl colors together for Neptune’s dreamy blue or Jupiter’s stormy patterns.) Practice lining them up from closest to farthest from the sun. Find mini planet toy models for inspo HERE.
Concept: Tactile learning and introductory astronomy.
Pro Tip: Keep a picture of the solar system handy for quick reference while sculpting.
Want to make some clay aliens? Check out Hey Clay- Alien Kit.
Blast Straw Rockets (Ages 6+)
Supplies:
- Drinking straws
- Scrap paper
- Tape
- Markers
Mission: Design your very own tiny rocket by rolling paper into a tube over a straw. Tape one end shut, decorate it (totally optional but ups engagement), and blow through the straw for a launch. Adjust size and shape to compete for distance.
Concept: Energy transfer and aerodynamics.
Pro Tip: Cut tubes to different lengths so kids can compare performance.
Paint your own rocket with this DIY craft kit.
Cardboard Creation Station (Ages 5+)
Supplies:
- Cardboard boxes (hello, Safari order boxes)
- Scissors and/or box cutters (use with supervision)
- Tape or glue
- Markers, paint, or stickers for decoration
- Plastic bottle caps, paper towel rolls, or other recycled materials for details
- Toy aliens, astronauts, or planets for final touches
Mission:
- Decide whether you’ll build a space rover or a spacecraft. Brainstorm designs and sketch blueprints to plan your creation.
- Cut and assemble your cardboard boxes and tubes to create the base structure. Use smaller pieces of cardboard or recycled bits for features like wings, wheels, or control panels.
- Attach details like bottle caps for wheels, rolled paper tubes for thrusters, or extra cardboard bits or stickers as control buttons. Secure them with glue or tape.
- Decorate the exterior! Glue on foil, paint it with metallic colors, add doodles of stars and planets, or slap on stickers for an intergalactic vibe.
- Once complete, invite your Friendly Aliens or other toy explorers to join the mission. Launch imaginative play by testing their spacecraft on a “flight” or driving the rover across rug-based Martian terrain.
Concepts:
- Encourages problem-solving and design thinking through building.
- Builds fine motor skills during craft assembly and decoration.
- Sparks creative play and storytelling with finished creations.
Pro Tip: Be sure to provide sharpies or thin markers for adding small details like buttons or radar screens. Younger kids might need help cutting thick cardboard, so pre-cut shapes if needed!
Space Colony Builders (Ages 4+)
Supplies:
- Recyclable boxes
- Toy blocks
- Markers, glue
- Alien and Space figurines
Mission: Using boxes or blocks, construct a futuristic colony for life on another planet. Make landing pads, build launch towers, and design safe habitats for alien and human settlers alike. Bonus challenge? Explain what you would need (water, food, and oxygen) to survive on a real space colony.
Concept: Strategic thinking, creativity, and engineering.
Pro Tip: Sketch designs first for a blueprint-worthy experience. Younger kids can focus on shapes while older ones can plan specific features.
Mission Accomplished
With these out-of-this-world activities, your days of aimless kid chaos could soon transform into cosmic adventures of creativity and learning. Space-themed STEAM play lets curiosity take the lead while parents stay (semi) sane. Whether it’s glitter, gears, or gooey paint, remember that play is where learning sticks best.
About the Author
Anji Audley is a former teacher and tutor with experience spanning preschool through middle school, bringing a deep understanding of child development and the power of playful, hands-on learning. As a mother of two boys, an artist, a nature lover, and passionate advocate for hands-on, playful learning, she loves blending creativity, nature, and play to spark curiosity in young minds.
With a focus on STEAM and early literacy, Anji believes in the power of cross-content and multisensory learning to create meaningful educational experiences. She advocates for learning that is engaging, immersive, and filled with wonder. You can find her exploring nature, diving into good books, painting or creating, and continuously searching for new ways to educate the whole child.
